Hay and Straw

How do I get my horse to respond to my leg when he has ha habit of kicking out against it and will argue if tapped with a whip?

Some horses are more sensitive to touch and will react adversely to even the lightest touches of the leg or whip. Think how quickly he reacts if a fly lands on him. The other reason for this behavior may be pain related ie to move freely forwards may be painful or he could be confused. If you have eliminated the last two reasons, he’ll need to learn that the response you require at the touch of the leg or whip is move forward. Firstly, check your hands are not restricting him. If he still gives you a backwards response, give two or three quick positive kicks just behind the girth again. Always take your leg away slightly before you kick – these will increase the response to your leg. When he goes forwards, reward him by sitting still and using your voice. This may have repeated several times until he really starts to accept your leg. The same exercise will need to be repeated with the whip. 

Horses have to learn that the touch of a leg means to move forwards