Advice please..dogs and horses

W

Winnie06

New User
Joined
13 May 2011
Messages
3
Location
Kent
Visit site
Hi, I live in Kent and I have 5 shih tzus.

I was hoping if anyone has got any ideas on how to help with this question:). We have a few fields around where I live and as we don't have footpaths (rural countryside) I walk in the fields a lot as its safer. Most of the fields have crops in and my dogs keep on the footpaths (they are too short to go amongst the crops as they hate anything covering their heads:)) When I do go into the fields with livestock I put my dogs on lead and keep to the footpath part. But I have noticed in a couple of fields that the horses in there like to follow my dogs (no problem as my dogs aren't scared of horses). BUT the horses are starting to get cheeky and running up behind us and trying to touch the dogs tails...I have stopped and stroked the horse and told it to go away but it hasn't worked.

Has anyone got any ideas?

The people who own the horses don't live in the village so I am unable to talk to them and I have asked around and a lot of dog walkers are finding they are getting the same problem.

Has anyone got any ideas to prevent this (apart from not going in the field!)
 
Is this a public footpath and you have rights of way to walk through it?

If it is I'd suggest writing a letter saying you are worried about your safety and ask if they could fence the footpath off?
 
Yes it a public footpath.It has the signs etc on each end. I used to walk my dogs in the field before these people bought it and with the other livestock that used to be there there was no problems. The people that bought the field only bought it a couple of years ago and visit the animals sporadically (I'm not sure exactly how often they come).

I have asked around to see if anyone does talk to them but no one sees them. The horses etc are well fed and are not in pain so I know they must visit the animals (They have at one end pigs/ sheep/chickens etc that are by the roadside.)

I will try again to contact the owner as the horses twice this week have tried to mouth my dogs. (I use the word mouth but what they try and do is lift my dogs up by their tails).
 
I think I'd send them away before they got that close tbh - are you experienced around horses yourself, or if not, do you know anyone that could walk with you and give you a few pointers?
 
I agree with Spudlet to try and not let them get close....

Maybe write a letter and pin in to the gate? Is anyone else having this problem? Maybe they could back you up?
 
I'd be very careful taking dogs in there, coz it sounds very like the horses are exhibiting typical "herd" behaviouir, and regarding the dogs as "intruders" into their domain. We had a horse here years ago who'd chase anything out of the field, be it dogs, sheep, cattle or whatever. He nearly killed a sheep by basically biting it on the rump and then striking out at it with his front feet. Jeez, it was awful.

I'm wondering if the behaviour from the horses which you describe, is a kind-of warning shot to the dogs, i.e. this is my territory, and I'm not liking you in it, kind of thing.

I'd be inclined to be pro-active; take a hunting crop with a thong with you in the field, or a lunging or driving whip (or your usual riding crop if its one with a thong on the end where you can put a bit of rope on) - and give the horses a sight of it, plus use some assertive body language and make yourself taller with your arms raised and "block" their movement towards you and your dogs. Its just a natural herd/territory thing, but it needs to be nipped in the bud before someone's dog is hurt really.
 
Thank you for your all your advice.

I am use to horses as I owned one for a few years but since working and caring for my mum takes up most of my time I haven't been in to horses as much. I do enjoy seeing them though..just not so close!.

A couple of other dog walkers have had similar trouble one was a husky and the other was a black Labrador. I think there has been a few others but those two have tried to contact the owners to no avail.

The horses have a tendency to walk very quickly towards us and put their heads down. I have tapped the horses nose today and said NO! But I couldnt think of what else to do until I read your posts. I will try doing the bigger movement. I am taking my hubby out tomorrow and will use the blocking method if the horses come near by and I will write a letter to the owners and pin it near the farm animals pen (they have got to be able to see it there).

Thank you for your help...I will keep you up to date on what's happening.
 
Just lob a handful of dry droppings at them,they will buzz of thinking it is a huge joke and slowly return to be pests again. Been doing it for years,as don`t care to have my two walking too close behind me.Apparently it`s called "join up"..hmm they do always return certainly!:D
 
Take to using a walking stick, when the horses come to close, turn around keep your posture straight and determined and wave the stick at them. If the persist then poke the leader in the chest with the foot of the stick and then take a strong step towards him, your stick out in front of you, making him back up.

It doesn't sound as if the horses are being anything but curious about the dogs. Once they realise that you mean business and will not have them in your space they will keep their distance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top