It's no surprise to me when I see people kick their horse to go - after all, that's what most people have been taught to do - in traditional riding lessons, pony club and by most advisors! However, there IS a better way to ask your horse to go forward, and to learn it is quite simple, with patience and focus and sensitivity! When teaching people to ride in a way that doesn't involve kicking (or any contact with your heels at all) I often ask them to take their boots off, to ride in their socks, so they are more fully aware of what their feet are doing. While a horse that is used to being 'kicked or nudged' might take a few times to understand a new (softer) cue, once learned, they will be much lighter and develop a a greater capacity to 'listen' to the rider. Riding with your whole body is the secret here!