Anyone else noticed this?

[AmyMay]

I suspect we are more likely to highlight the negative instances, than the positive ones, although we usually say most dog owners are fine.

I'll highlight a positive.

17.2hh chestnut mare doing a lovely in-hand canter. Out of no where we were joined by a beautiful red setter who ran along side us. I pushed on the canter a little, and the dog increased its pace too. It was a magical experience. Me, the horse and the dog. We eventually pulled up, and walked the dog back to its owner, who'd managed to take some fantastic shots.

It's a moment that will always stay with me.

 

[ladyt25]

I haven't ever met one dog owner who's said their dog just wanted to play. IF any dog has chased our horses or has barked when we pass, I have only ever known the owner to apologise.
Maybe I have been lucky. Who knows

 

[Sukistokes2]

It would have been better if I'd checked what random words and letters my phone was adding to what I wrote!! Ga

It's ok, I have an iPad having a mental breakdown, so my eyes slide right over them!!

 

[webble]

I've had a few issues with dogs and don't agree we should have to wait. Dogs should be on a lead or under close control

 

[DD265]

I've had one instance of an encounter with an aggressive dog. It was probably 50m away and it meant trouble - my horse locked onto it and presumably stared it down as the dog thought better of its approach and ran off in the opposite direction. I felt the tension between the two though.

To those who have said to allow the owner time to put the dog back on the lead - normally I would agree with you that patience is the best approach from both sides however my horse has in the past gone to bite the yard dogs if they've gotten under his nose. He's also very deliberately stood on the foot of one. I wouldn't like to risk somebody's dog by waiting to see what happens. As a general rule of thumb when we have met dog walkers out and about I would consider the dog to be at more risk than my horse.

 

[NZJenny]

It's become a big problem where I am. I beach ride a lot, and we have a big forest park here and we are quite close to town. I would be lucky to have a ride, where I don't have a dog come chasing after us. Yes, mostly they are just curious and playing, but because I don't own a dog, my horses aren't used to them and can over react. And it's not fun when you are out on a young horse.

I have only been attacked once and that was quite recently and it was terrifying. It came straight for my mares legs and it was only her kicking and rearing that kept it off us. I can't even begin to imagine what would have happened if I had come off. I did suggest that the owner should seriously consider it's future, hopefully it will pick a truck next time and not a child.

"My dog is fine with horses" is what I mostly hear, and most are surprised to hear that my horses aren't fine with dogs and will kick. I don't understand most dog owners - do they let them chase cars? Whilst I don't encourage my horses to kick, I don't discourage them from kicking at dogs that get too close. It is after all, their only defence.

I really like dogs and have owned several, but I just don't get some dog owners. It pi**es me off that I can have 400 kg of horse under perfect control but they can't be bothered to either train their dog or keep them on a leash. Having said that I have met some beautifully trained dogs and amazing owners, but it is the few that are spoiling it for the many.

 

[little_critter]

i have the opposite problem- when im walking my dogs the amount of irresponsible horse riders I come across is unreal. My dogs dont bother with horses but they arn't 'horse aware' either- they would happily walk straight behind one to sniff a piece of grass etc! So i like to put them on the lead and/or make them sit when I see one cause I dont want them being killed by a horse who doesn't like dogs lol!

Had some women the other day canter round a corner on a muddy path, I kept thinking "shes going to stop in a second!" but nope, carried on cantering straight towards us, I had to shout at her in the end to wait while I got my dogs back!! I put my dogs on the lead, made them sit, then she gave me the dirtiest look... walked past me without a "thankyou" or anything. was fuming!!

I'm sorry you had this experience, even though my pony is good with dogs I always come back to a walk as soon as I see a dog (even if it's some distance off). A horse moving at speed is going to be exciting to a dog and to not come back to a walk would simply be bringing problems on myself.

If someone is walking an obviously novice / young dog I do ask if they want to say hello to my pony (in a controlled way)

Last week my pony earned her stripes when an excitable spaniel came running at us (didn't look to mean any harm, just wanted to check out the interesting pony)
We stood still, but did spook when he came skidding to a halt in front of us.
The owners friends were mortified and very apologetic, they had just asked the owner if their dog chased horses (and was told no) so opened the car door to get out...and the dog came for us.
I meet quite a few dog walkers and the majority are polite and keep their dogs under control.

 

[JennBags]

I've had a few issues with dogs and don't agree we should have to wait. Dogs should be on a lead or under close control

I am gobsmacked at this attitude. We ALL have a responsibility to other people; whether that be dog owners, horse riders, cyclists or walkers. If you cannot wait for a couple of minutes while someone puts their dogs on a lead, you do not deserve to have the luxury of being able to ride out in our beautiful countryside. No wonder us horse riders have the reputation of being snooty.

I'm very lucky in that I've not had any incidents myself, but a friend's horse was severely attacked by a dog once.

 

[webble]

I am gobsmacked at this attitude. We ALL have a responsibility to other people; whether that be dog owners, horse riders, cyclists or walkers. If you cannot wait for a couple of minutes while someone puts their dogs on a lead, you do not deserve to have the luxury of being able to ride out in our beautiful countryside. No wonder us horse riders have the reputation of being snooty.

I'm very lucky in that I've not had any incidents myself, but a friend's horse was severely attacked by a dog once.

Yes I agree we do, I dont generally have any issues with walkers or cyclists. I dont just have this thought towards dogs when I am riding, I have often been out for a walk in the country and had a dog run up to me off lead no owner in sight. I dont want to be barked at or jumped all over by a strange dog. I have been badly bitten in the past (not horse related) so am wary of strange dogs

To clarify I probably worded it badly. I meant we shouldnt have to wait when owner cant get their dog because the dog should be under control and have good recall if its off lead not we shouldnt have to wait because I dont see why I should wait because I am more important

 

[LadyRascasse]

I am a 'professional' dog walker so I can see it from both sides. I have had some awful experiences with rude horse riders. I always try and get my dog back but some people with continue riding at you while you are trying to get them under control (on a lead) It doesn't take much for you to stop your horse for a few seconds until the dog is under control. Another time I took my dogs off the bridleway onto a footpath so the horses could safely carry on only for them to follow me up the footpath. I really feel its 50/50 and there is a really lack or respect from both sides.

 

[Honey08]

I think there should be respect and compassion on both sides. Dog owners should appreciate that horses may spook and also kick, therefore should try to get the dog on a lead ASAP. Horse riders should appreciate that a horse is exciting or sometimes scary to a dog and it may take a moment to get them back.

Personally I always slow to a stop and give the dog walker a moment. Quote often people say their dog has never seen a horse and is a bit scared (when seeming a bit aggressive) so I often invite them to let their dog meet the horse. Both my horses are not bothered by dogs (or most other things we come across out hacking), and my gelding loves dogs, so will often lower his head to look at the dog and let the dog have a closer look (obviously with the dog on a lead and at a safe distance until it is calmer). I've got quite a few local dog walkers that I've become "hello" friends with as a consequence. Much nicer than getting into a row or ordering them to control their dog etc. I always try things nicely and politely first.

 

[JennBags]

Yes I agree we do, I dont generally have any issues with walkers or cyclists. I dont just have this thought towards dogs when I am riding, I have often been out for a walk in the country and had a dog run up to me off lead no owner in sight. I dont want to be barked at or jumped all over by a strange dog. I have been badly bitten in the past (not horse related) so am wary of strange dogs

To clarify I probably worded it badly. I meant we shouldnt have to wait when owner cant get their dog because the dog should be under control and have good recall if its off lead not we shouldnt have to wait because I dont see why I should wait because I am more important

Ah, OK, I read it in context with the person who asked the woman to stop cantering towards her, and thought you were saying you didn't see why you should stop. Countryside code is to always walk past other users of the countryside anyway.

 

[MileAMinute]

I keep my horse close to a local forest and do a lot of hacking through there. Luckily most dog walkers are aware it's also shared by a lot of horses and we have a good mutual understanding. You always get the odd one but it tends to be lack of education than anything else.

Since getting my new dog and walking him out a lot more than my last (he was old/unwell so only went out for short ones) I've noticed a lot of dog owners who cannot recall their dogs or who show signs of aggression yet are off the lead. If you can't control your dog, or know it has issues with other dogs, keep it on a damn lead! Atm Monty stays on the lead until we are fully used to him and I am 100% happy with his recall (it's still a case of selective hearing at times...).

 

[windand rain]

Generally speaking I see far fewer dogs wandering around without owners than 10 or 20years ago I do agree that we need to live and let live but just occasionally reasonable control over dogs is lost in the excitement and the dog gets a bit unruly. Good manners in both the dog and horse owners would go a long way to solving the issues but manners seem to be long gone from society. While with an owner the dog should be under control so should the horse loss of control of one or the other is going to lead to tragedy

 

[webble]

Ah, OK, I read it in context with the person who asked the woman to stop cantering towards her, and thought you were saying you didn't see why you should stop. Countryside code is to always walk past other users of the countryside anyway.

Oh crikey no thats just rude!!

 

[pennyturner]

Best incident I had was a woman with one of those 20' extendable leads who was so inept that she allowed her terrier to do figure 8's around my horses legs until he was practically hog tied, with the dog ending up jumping up in the air at the pony's nose. Happily pony thought it was interesting, rather than threatening, and stood stock still as I asked him to.

The woman's friend eventually came to her aid and unhooked the dog from the lead. Then the two of them had to crawl around on the floor untangling the lead from poor Bobby's feet. The woman was too thick to understand the danger she was in, and didn't apologise.

Happily this is not our usual experience. Most of the dog owners here are country types. Recently I was impressed to see someone with a pair of young pointers call them to heel and keep them there (without holding them) whilst we took a ride of 10 past. Not easy!

 

[confirmedponyaddict]

Thanks for all the replies, haven't logged on for a couple of days. It's nice to see the majority of people have had mainly positive experiences. I wasn't meaning to generalise ALL dog owners and I do expect my horses to behave but I do ride a lot of horses for a lot of other people and I would be mortified if they were to be injured in my care and of course I don't always know what their reaction will be to dogs.
What I find worrying is when you get either an ignorant or worse, an aggressive response from the owners, they don't seem to grasp the danger the dog is in.

 

[puli]

I find that most dog walkers are great with me. They normal see me and grab their dogs and put them on a lead I always wait for them to do this. Then they pull over I say thankyou they smile and say thankyou back. I have only met three nasty dogs in four years of riding in a spot for dog walkers. The most recent barky dog I met was with a lady he was a chocolate lab and came running at my horse barking snapping at her back legs. The lady did say sorry but then when I went to pass again the dog did the same the lady was on the phone and when on the phone said to the person she was talking too " He is just barking at some poor horse rider" while ignoring me she then went infront of me to walk down the path so I had to wait for her too get the bottom because of her dog. I find that most dogs are just frightened so react. I have had two puppies run at my mare and play bow her which is funny the puppies a rotty and a lab puppy my mare put her head down like to say hello. I like meeting puppies as they see horses and hopefully in the future they will be ok with horses. I did once met a lab that ran upto my mare and rolled on her belly being very submissive. My horse is great with dogs and would only kick out if she had to defend her self.

 

[Goldenstar]

I've had a few issues with dogs and don't agree we should have to wait. Dogs should be on a lead or under close control

And riders should be in control of their horses 100% of the time but we know that does not always happen .
Horses spook riders fall lose horses can cause serious damage and danger to others.
Sometimes stuff happens .

 

[MagicMelon]

And riders should be in control of their horses 100% of the time but we know that does not always happen .
Horses spook riders fall lose horses can cause serious damage and danger to others.
Sometimes stuff happens .

But at the same time very occasionally a horses flight or spook response will kick in, that's just nature. Even the most well behaved and schooled horse can have the odd spook at something especially if its a dog yapping and jumping at his face, that's going beyond the call of duty I think! Unless a dogs recall is extremely good then they should be on leads if off their own property IMO, pretty simple. It only takes one dog to cause an accident which can result in death of a horse and rider. And most people seem to not be in control of their dogs!

 

[bakewell]

I am a bit surprised at how many dog owners will keep known biters (proper break the skin, needed stitches, didn't show remorse biters, just to be clear). There is a line crossed there, the same as a dog that savages another, or goes for (with teeth) any animal not in a hunting context.
Yes, it would be ideal if dogs were all raised properly etc but sometimes for reasons of nature or nurture you get a bad egg.
(I do find horse owners with vicious horses are way less tolerant! Not talking kickers, more dangerous to go in a stable with)

 

[B&J]

I can see it from both sides really. I have come across several dogs on hacks who have happily ambled along with us, not making a fuss. I have had a big lab type dog stack into the back of my cob (who didn't even bother to look round) and I've had yappy terriers barking their heads off at us (that did terrify me). But each incident the owners tried their best to get their dogs back and you could see them trying. We have a regular walker near us who has 3 incredibly well trained dogs, the moment she hears hooves; the dogs are recalled and leads put on, they then wait on the verge to let us past and the dogs wait very calmly.

On the flip side I have 3 dogs, 2 huskies and a springer. The springer is respectful of horses and recalls very well, she happily sits waiting for horses to past and is also happy to walk alongside me when I'm riding. My huskies however are a bloomin nightmare! I have spent hundreds and hundreds of pounds on trainers, boot camp etc, tried just about every method out there but they will not, ever recall. Despite socialising them as pups one is not dog friendly following being attacked at about 6 months, again we've tried everything to get him to socialise again - they are now resigned to an extendible lead and never allowed to walk on bridle paths because frankly I just don't trust them - we take them to dog parks at non-peak times with a yellow ribbon attached to their leads to show other dog owners not to approach. If they don't know what the yellow ribbon means we call out a friendly warning and explain if necessary.

I totally agree that there are ignorant owners on both sides out there too though!