This poses an interesting question that many people have wondered about at one point or another how strong are horse kicks? If you’ve ever worked with horses, then you know that these powerful animals are capable of some pretty strong kicks when they want to make their point known.
Despite what many people think, a horse’s kick isn’t as hard as you might think, and it certainly doesn’t have nearly the power of some other animals like mules or cows. Horses are also more prone to kick out of fear than they are out of aggression, so they can kick if they feel threatened in any way by someone or something around them.
A horse can exert between 1200 and 1400 pounds of force with each kick. This makes it one of the strongest animals on the planet. Don’t believe us? Read on to find out more about how strong is a horse kick, how they use it, and how to stay safe around horses!
No matter how safe you are around horses, there’s always the chance that they could accidentally hurt you while they’re spooked or just moving around naturally. Well, it’s easier to find out how strong a horse kick is than you might think, so keep reading to learn more!

What Is A Horse Kick ?
A horse kick is a powerful movement made by the back legs of a horse. The strength of a horse kick can depend on the size and weight of the horse, as well as how much force is behind the kick.
Most horses can kick hard enough to kill. The force of their kicks is estimated to be 2000 psi, with an average speed of 200 miles per hour.
That is technically more than how hard any skilled boxer could ever punch.
A horse kick can be dangerous to both animals and humans, so it’s important to be aware of their power. For example, a 2-year-old pony could send out an average 20 horsepower kick while a full-grown Clydesdale could send out up to 1,000 horsepower kicks. You should always take precautions when around horses or donkeys because they are capable of inflicting serious injury with even just one hoof.
Why Does My Horse Kick Me
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a powerful horse kick, you know just how strong they can be. But why do horses kick? There are a few reasons. Sometimes, horses kick out in self-defense if they feel threatened.
Other times, they may kick because they’re trying to communicate something – like that they’re uncomfortable with what you’re doing. If your horse has kicked you, it’s important to try and understand why so that you can avoid it happening again in the future.
Your first step should be checking to see if there’s anything around their feet or legs that might make them want to kick. It could be something as simple as dirt stuck under their hoof, or a fly bothering them. Whatever the cause, identifying it will help you deal with it more effectively. For example, dealing with dirt by brushing or picking off any visible pieces before grooming; using fly spray or swatting flies away when they bother your horse.
The Science Behind Kicking
When a horse kicks, its hooves exert an incredible amount of force. In fact, depending on the size and weight of the horse, that force can be up to eight times the animal’s body weight.
So, if you’re ever on the receiving end of a horse kick, you’ll definitely know it! That said, what most people don’t realize is that a horse will usually aim for soft tissue rather than bones or joints.
The reason for this has to do with how horses are designed; they have flexible tendons in their lower legs which allow them to flex their feet easily while they kick, while humans have inflexible tendons in their feet which cause our toes to point down towards the ground when we walk or run.
My Personal Experience
I was curious about how strong a horse kick was, so I did some research. I found that horses can generate a lot of force with their kicks – up to 2000 pounds per square inch! I also found that horses usually aim for the chest or head, which can cause serious damage.
The general consensus is that a human can withstand anything under 1000 pounds per square inch. In conclusion, I would say you should not underestimate the power of a horse’s kick.
Is it Really that Dangerous to be Kicked by a Horse?
A horse’s kick can be lethal, but it’s not as common as you may think. Many people live their whole lives without ever being kicked by a horse, while others may experience it multiple times throughout their lifetime without injury.
As with anything in life, there are some risks associated with horses, and if you take the proper precautions to avoid being kicked, then you should have nothing to worry about! Here’s what you need to know about being kicked by a horse so that you can remain safe every time you interact with these beautiful animals.
Are you at risk if you are kicked by a horse?
While being kicked by a horse can certainly result in some serious injuries, the vast majority of kicks are not fatal. In fact, most people who are kicked by a horse will only suffer from bruises and contusions. However, there are some cases where a horse’s kick can be deadly. If you are kicked in the head or chest, for example, you could suffer from skull fractures or internal bleeding.
What areas of your body can be injured from being kicked?
A horse’s kick can injure any area of your body, but the most common areas are the head, chest, and abdomen. Head injuries can range from concussions to skull fractures, and chest injuries can include broken ribs and internal bleeding.
Abdominal injuries are usually the most serious, as they can cause damage to vital organs. If you were kicked in the groin or lower stomach, you could potentially suffer ruptured testicles or damaged bowels. If you were kicked in the stomach just below your rib cage, you could experience kidney injury or liver rupture. If this happens, immediate medical attention is needed to avoid death.
Protecting Yourself from a Horse’s Kick
A horse’s kick can do some serious damage, especially if the horse isn’t trained or if you’re standing in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from the dreaded kick so you don’t have to worry about ending up in the hospital with a broken bone or two, or much worse.
What to do if kicked by a horse
If you are kicked by a horse, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not feel pain right away, there could be internal bleeding.
If the kick was hard enough, it could also break bones. To prevent being kicked by a horse in the first place, always approach them from the side or rear, and never startle them. When leading a horse, keep your hands near their muzzle to avoid startling them with sudden movements.
You can also protect yourself with gear like chest protectors that use shock-absorbing materials and guards on your legs.
When mounting a horse, walk around the back of their head so they can see you coming and move out of the way if they react nervously.
Do not panic – react calmly and rationally
The best way to protect yourself from a horse’s kick is to not panic. If you see a horse kicking, react calmly and rationally. Move away slowly and try to make yourself as small as possible.
If the horse kicks, cover your head and face with your arms and curl into a ball. Try to stay calm and quiet until the horse leaves. Stand up carefully once it has left the area.
Get medical attention if you have been kicked or if any broken bones are suspected. It is important to remain calm and avoid making sudden movements when interacting with horses because their instincts may cause them to lash out in fear.
Actions while being kicked
If you are being kicked by a horse, the best thing to do is try to stay calm and avoid panicking. Move away from the horse if possible, and if you must stand your ground, try to make yourself as small as possible.
Try to protect your head and vital organs, and remain aware of your surroundings in case you need to make a quick escape. Horses will often kick before they rear up on their hind legs so this may be an opportunity for you to get out of the way before the kicking starts.
Preventive actions
The best way to protect yourself from a horse’s kick is to take preventive measures.
First, always approach a horse from the front or side, never from behind.
Second, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and know where the horse’s feet are at all times.
Third, avoid making sudden movements or loud noises around horses.
Fourth, give the horse plenty of space and don’t crowd it.
Finally, if you must be around a kicking horse, wear protective gear such as boots with steel toes and shin guards.
What to do after the attack
After you have been kicked by a horse, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not feel like you are injured, it is possible that you have internal bleeding.
Once you have been seen by a doctor, there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself from further injury.
Wear boots with thick soles to help cushion your feet if you are kicked again. You should also avoid moving too much and try to limit the amount of time you spend on the ground. It is also a good idea to avoid places where horses may be, such as parking lots or roads with high traffic volumes.
How to stop your horse from kicking

If you’ve ever been kicked by a horse, you know just how scary and painful it can be! Not only do they hurt, but they can leave nasty bruises that take weeks to heal. If your horse is particularly prone to kicking,
However, it’s important to make sure that you keep both of you safe! Luckily, there are quite a few ways to prevent this unwanted behavior from happening, so you can avoid the risk of injury or pain while still enjoying your time with your horse. Keep reading to learn how to stop your horse from kicking!
Know Why Horses Kick
There are many reasons why horses kick, and it’s important to know the reason behind your horse’s behavior before you can correct it. Horses may kick out of fear, pain, or simply because they’re curious.
However, no matter the reason, kicking is dangerous and can cause serious injury. The best way to keep a horse from kicking is by establishing dominance through being calm and assertive in their presence.
If your horse kicks out of fear, then establish yourself as the alpha by showing them that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Remove Causes of Stress
One of the best ways to prevent your horse from kicking is to remove any potential causes of stress in its environment.
This means creating a safe, comfortable space for them to live in and providing them with plenty of food, water, and exercise. If you can minimize their stressors, you’ll go a long way toward preventing them from lashing out.
The more you know about your horse’s triggers, the better prepared you’ll be to head off future problems. Pay attention to what makes them tense up or become nervous, and then work on finding solutions for those situations that will make things easier on both of you.
Training
You can train your horse to stop kicking by rewarding him when he doesn’t kick and punishing him when he does. Start by teaching him a cue to stand still.
Once he’s learned that cue, you can start working on getting him used to being touched and handled all over his body. Next, work on desensitizing him to things that might startle him or make him want to kick. When he feels something he doesn’t like, don’t move away; instead, try moving closer.
Reward him for standing still even if it means leaning against the thing that made him feel uncomfortable in the first place. If you’re practicing this while out in the field, keep in mind that it may be hard to move toward an object without frightening your horse.
Instill calmness
Before you start working with your horse on this issue, it’s important that you yourself are calm and collected. If you’re feeling frustrated or angry, take a step back and come back when you’re feeling more level-headed. Once you’re ready to work with your horse, there are a few things you can do to help instill calmness.
One of the best ways is to be patient with them. Every horse responds differently and some may respond better to petting while others need space. Make sure you don’t get too close as they may react by raising their hind leg in an attempt to kick out at you.
Instead, talk calmly and soothingly but don’t touch them at all until they have calmed down for a few minutes first.
Reinforce good behavior
One way to stop your horse from kicking is to reinforce good behavior. When your horse is behaving the way you want, make sure to give him lots of praise and treats.
This will let him know that he is doing something right and will encourage him to keep it up. Additionally, when your horse is behaving well, take away whatever stimulus caused him to kick in the first place. For example, if he kicks out when you’re bridling him, move away so he can’t kick anymore.
If he kicks out when you touch his leg with a hoof pick or examine his teeth with a toothbrush or dental stick, then back off for a minute and wait for his mouth to relax before continuing on with what you were doing.
Final Thoughts on Kicking
A horse’s kick is an important part of its defense mechanism. When a horse feels threatened, it will often kick out in order to protect itself.
While the strength of a horse’s kick can vary depending on the size and weight of the horse, they can all pack quite a punch. So, if you’re ever on the receiving end of a horse kick, be sure to have some ice on hand! Have you ever had your own run-in with a horse? What happened? Comment below and let us know!
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