Active, sustained exercise commonly consists of longeing, driving, or riding. A horse's ration should be tailored to meet his energy needs. Too often a horse's ration is set when he is being regularly ridden but is not adjusted when the riding program is interrupted by an injury, poor weather, or the owner's schedule. An overfed, underexercised horse is a prime candidate for developing any of a number of stable vices. As with all undesirable habits, treatment can consist of psychological or physical means.
Any treatment is more successful if it is applied before a habit becomes deeply ingrained.
A psychological cure requires identification of the cause of the kicking. From observations, it seems like some horses are actually soothed or placated by the sound of their own hoofs thumping. In such cases, some success has been obtained by padding either the stall walls, the hooves or both. If stall kicking is obviously due to boredom or confinement, the horse can be given additional work sessions or turn-out time in a pasture or run. If this is not possible, often a stall toy offers a diversion.