[Honu]

Kicking a horse is not at all part of the sport and I think they had to do something to demonstrate to the public that this is totally out of bounds. He showed in that kick a total disregard and disrespect to the horse who was a young 2YO and just as paniced and frightened as he was.[/quote]

Kicking a horse in the belly may not be a part of the sport on T.V but it is on the backside , not that it happens everyday to every horse but I bet all race horses have got a boot to the belly at one time or another. Biting a horses ear in the starting gate isnt part of the sport either but after he tries to flip over and hurts the gate hand doing it , he will get his ear bit , or his tail bent upward or the eartongs put on .
I would say the thing that will stick out in this horses mind will be his fear of the gate or just his bad behaivor in it more than the jockey's boot to his belly, I bet if you put a starting a gate and a jockey in front of this horse he bolts from the gate not the jockey.
The guy didnt show professonialism by kicking the horse in the belly but I dont think 2000.00 dollars and 4 lost paychecks are fair either.