KICKING 



instinctive, and is the animal's method of protect- 

 ing itself from other creatures. 



But although the kick is considered a defense of 

 the horse, and indeed is so when it involves the 



KICKING 



refusal to move forward, it is not in the least dan- 

 gerous. For a rider with an accurate seat, it is like 

 a wave to a sailboat. It does, however, sometimes 

 make trouble for young riders, if they let the horse 

 repeat the kick too often, until it becomes a habit, 

 called forth by the slightest annoyance or provoca- 

 tion. In this case, it does become a defense. 



We here are concerned with the horse which kicks 

 when mounted, and uses this action to resist our 

 means of control. This may result from weakness, 



357 



