OK, I admit I have smacked the crap out of Buck, but it isn't like he didn't know it was coming. Bit me in the back while I was closing a gate we had just walked though. He knew it was coming as soon as I turned around because he had the fear of God look in his eyes and was backing up as far as his lead rope would let him go. I gave him a good loud "NO" and a smack across the chest with the lead rope. Was that abuse? I think not.
There is disciplining a horse and then there is abuse. If this guy had kicked the horse immediately after the incident in the gate occurred (and I don't know what happened in the gate, maybe he was kicking out so kicking back is warranted). BUT if the horse had no idea why he was being kicked then YES it is abuse and he should get kicked in the stomach.
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"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawaken. 
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