[algore]

A more likely story is that the guy put his hand on the horse so the horse knew he was there and would not kick him.

I always do this. Being kicked hurts.

[AnAmericanMother]

Exactly. If I have to walk behind a horse I'll speak to let him know I'm there, then get close in so that if he does kick, it'll just be a push rather than a full windup. And I'll place my hand on his hindquarters.

Plenty of times when I'm mucking a stall or tacking up, I'll slap my horse on the hindquarters to get him to move over. Their skin is quite thick and it certainly does not hurt them. No big deal and it's a language horses understand.

Now if this fellow came running and wound up and hit the horse with full force . . . that's another story. Also a good way to get kicked into the middle of next week.