Does anyone have any advice on how to train a horse to let you handle its hind hooves without getting kicked? The horse in question is a seven year old mare that I recently bought from a lady who apparently had no success in this area either. She did not know what caused the horse to kick when its hind hooves were approached and had never bothered to shoe the horse in the back after a couple of failed attempts. The horse so far has no other bad vices and doesn't mind getting the front hooves messed with at all. Any advice, opinions are appreciated.

I don't know if it works for everyone, but I'll tell you how I taught Jackson. Get a long(at least 10-15ft) soft cotton rope. Make a slip knot in one end and put it between the fetlock and hoof of the leg you want to work with. (If you can't raise the foot to put it thru the rope stretch it out and put it on the ground if front of the foot. Have someone walk them over it and tighten the rope when they step in it.) Personally, when I cue Jack to give me his foot I run my hand down the back of the leg and when I hit just above the fetlock I squeeze a little and say "foot". People train their horses differently, so adapt this to however you train your horses. When the rope is just above the hoof, (best to have someone to hold them for you, rather than tied) stand out of reach of the feet and pick up the foot w/the rope while giving whatever vocal command you choose to use. As long as they fight the rope hold the foot off of the ground. When they relax let the foot down. Now, if they go tearing off and are going to hurt themselves by all means don't try to keep the leg up! It'll hurt them and probably you too. Start by only holding it up as long as they fight it and letting go, once they do well w/it you can extend the time as you go so it would be like the ferrier trimming/shoeing them. Remember, nothing is fool proof and there are a lot of times that you have to change a training method a little because it doesn't work on a particular horse. Do what works for you and your horse best.

Some mares are extremely sensitive with their back ends and need very little to set them off. Just watch when she comes in heat, as she may have cysts which are painful and can be most of your problem. Her heat cycle should be @ regular intervals without any, stress,anxiety, behavior changes, discharge cloudy-yellow in color. If it is not as easy as that, you may have either medical or hormonal imbalances.
You say she is good with her front feet, what about grooming? Start there, Stand facing her rear, keep your left hand[if on horses left] on her side[flank,hip,croup...] brush down the leg. Make sure you stay slighly in front of her leg and keep your hand on her, you can feel her tense before she lifts leg to kick. If that is ok, use your hand instead of the brush, go down the back of the leg gradually increasing pressure until she picks foot off ground. As soon as she does, release leg and do something else. Go slowly 20-30 times per grooming session, and do both sides equally. Each time hold it slightly longer, but don't try to force it up and hold on tight, that will make her resent it more. If you think it could be a pain issue, try giving 2 grams of bute prior to grooming, if you have no kicking, you might be dealing with pain.