Ok, I know OP doesn't really want ot hit on her horse, but you have to understand that he is more than happy to hit you. I had a horse that I had started, she was a spoiled brat. She would come in on you if you were trying to longe her, occasionally she'd think about kicking. I could not have the line attached to her at first, because she was so much worse. I finally got after her with a whip, I would stand in the middle and send her out and if she'd refuse, turn away from me there-by presenting me with her butt, or other wise be disrespectful, I'd get her with the whip and get her attention. It only took a couple sessions of this and she was a totally different horse. She's never offered to kick, or lunge poorly since then. If you don't feel comfortable with this, could you have someone help you get him past this phase of training so you don't get hurt?