Anyone else noticed this?

confirmedponyaddict

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I know there are often posts on here about bad behaviour from dogs but this is more about irresponsible owners. Twice in the last few weeks I've had to shoo dogs away from my pony out hacking because the owner couldn't call them back. The first was a little terrier type that came bounding up to my mare yapping and barking, not aggressive but she will kick out if something goes behind her back legs. The owner didn't even have a lead, he called him back but let him get away with not coming back. I lent down and told the dog to 'go away' at which point I get a mouthful of abuse about my bad attitude and how the dog is 'just a puppy'. I tried to explain I was more worried about him getting kicked than my pony getting bitten but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.
The second time I was riding a livery horse and had a labrador run up to us being very aggressive and jumping up at the horse's throat. Again the owner made a feeble attempt to get the dog back but in the end I swished my whip at it, not aiming to hit but discourage. On this occasion the owner was very apologetic but it's just not ok to allow your dog to behave like that. I was escorting a hack with children which a) made it more worrying and b) meant I couldn't really give him a piece of my mind!

Have I just been unlucky or are owners becoming worse at controlling their dogs? I really don't blame the animals at all but they are obviously not being trained properly. As well as venting my frustration I was wondering if anyone else has had any experiences like this?
 

AmyMay

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I think you've just been unlucky.

I've only ever had one real problem with a dog, and my mare killed it. Problem solved.
 

Shay

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Good answer Amymay! But seriously - yes. Despite the press stories over dangerous dogs etc we do find the number of dogs dangerously out of control near horses has increased. But isn't just a hacking thing - look at what happened at the PC National championships and most major 3 day events have at least one loose dog causing havoc. And these are dogs owned by "horsey" people. The BHS do have a site to record incidents, both accidents and near misses. It is worth recording every event - otherwise no-one will have the data to deal with what we as riders know is on the increase.
 

ladyt25

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Good answer Amymay! But seriously - yes. Despite the press stories over dangerous dogs etc we do find the number of dogs dangerously out of control near horses has increased. But isn't just a hacking thing - look at what happened at the PC National championships and most major 3 day events have at least one loose dog causing havoc. And these are dogs owned by "horsey" people. The BHS do have a site to record incidents, both accidents and near misses. It is worth recording every event - otherwise no-one will have the data to deal with what we as riders know is on the increase.
Hmm, I am not sure to be honest. I think a mix of both and I don't think Amymay's response is that helpful! I would be mortified if my horse killed someone's dog!
I think horse riding is more accessible these days than it used to be (great) but this means its is not restricted to the countryside and instead people are keeping horses in morar urban /built up areas and, as a result horshorsres, pedestrian, dog walkers are going to cross paths more often. There just needs to be a degree of tolerance in my mind. The majority of dogs are not aggressive and even if they are they are unlikely to be able to do damage to a horse so, if faced with one where the owner can't get the dog back then stand still and wait. Don't assume the dog owner is incompetent. A dog, like a horse does have a mind of it's own after all.I just think as horse-riders and dog owners we need to be tolerant and be able to cope. Certainly if a dog is actually trying to attack then that's a different matter but I think that happens very rarely
 

MerrySherryRider

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I think you were just unlucky but you horse sounds very good. Can't remember ever having a problem with dog owners, they're generally excellent at putting them back on a lead although our horses are used to bouncy dogs.

We do tend to get a lot of farm dogs running out of their yards and trying to send the horses away, but the horses don't bother reacting even when they blighters have nipped their heels. I guess it depends where you live and what local dog owners are like though.
 

AmieeT

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On the contrary, I completely agree with Amymay.

Given the choice between my horses safety, my safety or the safety of the dog that is out of control, I would sacrifice the dog everytime. And, in case you think otherwise, I happen to LOVE Dogs.

Luckily I've never been in the situation, the majority of dogs around my area are kept on leads, and I've seen more than one give the dog a smack for barking at Red. I'd do the same to mine.

Ax
 

Shay

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Actually I think both AmyMay and I were tongue in cheek?! I wasn't suggesting training the horses to kill dogs. The point I was trying to make was the importance of recording both accidents and near misses so that the BHS has the evidence it needs to support us as riders. Out of control dogs are an issue here in the South East - and yes it may well be because there are more people and more horses here. But to be honest living on the edge of the surrey cycle way out of control cyclists are probably just as much a hazard!
 

Greylegs

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I'm very lucky in that the yard where my boy lives has direct access to a large area of national forest woodland, where we can hack off road for hours. However, we do share it with local dog walkers of course, and there have been several occasions when I've met people walking around actually looking to meet a horse to give their dog a chance to "meet and greet" and learn how to behave around a horse.

On one occasion, my saint of a highland stood like a rock while two huge German Shepherds had a good sniff round him. The owner was genuinely grateful for the opportunity to allow his dogs to get close enough to a horse so they could learn how to behave with them. Rather than condemning dog owners for not controlling their animals, maybe we ought to be working with local dog owners on educating them and their dogs better, so we can all enjoy our animals and live in harmony.
 

Copperpot

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I don't find it a problem around here. Yes dogs have run up behind us or towards us. I just stand still or if I think they are aggressive, ride at them. I can't say I've ever met a dog that was truly interested in harming my horse though.

We did once have an over exhuurbant puppy, God knows what, it was very big, jump up and rest his paws on the horses side so I could fuss him lol. I've also had dogs run under the horse whilst I'm standing still making sure they don't get accidentally trodden on. They didn't mean any harm and were not behaving dangerously.
 

old hand

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have been attacked and bitten just below the knee ( mine) on a 16hh horse, horse reared and hit me in the face with the top of his head and then attacked the dog, jumped off seeing stars and ended up with the dog by the throat in one hand and the horse in the other. owner just stood there and had already let go of her 7 stone GSD. Dog warden found the dog had been rehomed by GS Rescue as unsociable with animals and humans, and she was 70 and tiny. Heaven help us, she was walking him on a public highway next to footpaths that loads of kids and dogs use. There have been several other dog attacks in our area, mostly young chavs with staffie types, the problem is they leave them off the lead and can't control them. Don't hack out now far too dangerous.
 

AmieeT

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Oh! Sorry Shay! My bad- too early to read tongue in cheek. Still stand by what I said though!

I didn't mean train horses to kill though, if that's how you read it (may have been a totally unrelated comment!)

Ax
 

Sukistokes2

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Hmm, I am not sure to be honest. I think a mix of both and I don't think Amymay's response is that helpful! I would be mortified if my horse killed someone's dog!
I think horse riding is more accessible these days than it used to be (great) but this means its is not restricted to the countryside and instead people are keeping horses in morar urban /built up areas and, as a result horshorsres, pedestrian, dog walkers are going to cross paths more often. There just needs to be a degree of tolerance in my mind. The majority of dogs are not aggressive and even if they are they are unlikely to be able to do damage to a horse so, if faced with one where the owner can't get the dog back then stand still and wait. Don't assume the dog owner is incompetent. A dog, like a horse does have a mind of it's own after all.I just think as horse-riders and dog owners we need to be tolerant and be able to cope. Certainly if a dog is actually trying to attack then that's a different matter but I think that happens very rarely

^^^^^
This,
Very well put!!
I like dog s as much as I like horses.
 

Silmarillion

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I find that when I am out riding, dog owners are always very polite and either get their dogs back to them and wait for me to pass if the dog is likely to jump up, or I wait for the dog and owner to pass if the dog is one that will ignore my horse. I tend not to have a problem when I'm riding. It's people letting dogs run into my field that I have a huge problem with. But that's a whole different thread!
 

Fancyfree

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I had the a similar problem on a beach road a few weeks ago.

We were cantering along and this dog came from nowhere and started attacking the horse. As a result the horse bolted I fell off and landed awkwardly resulting in a broken neck. The worse bit was when the owner turned up she said oh he did that to the last horse he meet but I think muzzles are cruel.

I am a dog owner as well and whenever we see a horse my dog goes on a lead end of. I think all dog owners should have there dogs on leads when near horses as you don't know how the horse or dog will react. Better to be safe than sorry.
 

AmyMay

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Actually I think both AmyMay and I were tongue in cheek?!
Well, sort of.

The incident was totally avoidable - had the owners called their dog back to them. Despite my warning that my horse would kick the dog. Well the horse did kick, connected with the dogs head and that was that. Very, very upsetting for the owners, and yes me. But of course it highlights the importance of having your dog under control around horses.

Luckily that's the only issue I've ever had with a dog - and it ended tragically.

I absolutely agree with Ladyt25 that we should be tolerant of each other, and we should use the countryside in harmony with each other. Thankfully most do. I also agree that the majority of dogs are not aggressive.
 

cobalobM

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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!!
 
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NikNak1

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We have had a few problems with dogs lately, I was chased by a dog along a local bridleway a few weeks ago and before then we were followed by a loose dog for about 15 minutes. Both were Staffordshire type dogs (possibly same one) which I know doesn't necessarily mean they are going to attack but causes me more anxiety than if they were jack Russells!! The first owner was trying to call the dog back and it did eventually go back to her and the other time no owner was in sight. Both were running around the horses back legs and jumping up, I think they were only trying to play but they were lucky not to get kicked I reported this to bhs who were v helpful and suggested reporting to the police which I did and it seems the same dog has caused problems with horses before.
In general I find most dog owners are very good but as usual it's the minority who cause problems, prob through lack of awareness. Unfortunately it will prob take a serious accident before people take any notice.
 

Moggy in Manolos

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I find the majority very good and polite, sadly there are a few who seem to have no control of their dog and on a bridle track which I pay to use and they don't i find this massively annoying, particularly when I had to dismount my horse one dog in particular was out of control and chasing deer out into the open which started to freak my youngster out!
So for me, if the control of the dog is an issue then it should be on a lead, however most are great.

What a tragic story from amymay
 

southerncomfort

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We have a real problem with loose, out of control dogs here. Often the dog will run at our horses aggressively while the owner is saying 'Oh she's never seen a horse before'. Well should she be off the lead on a bridleway if you don't know how she will react to a horse?? Makes me very cross.

Just this morning, a boxer appeared out of nowhere and was jumping all over my daughter's pony's back legs and hindquarters. I'm afraid her pony kicked the dog back in to last week. I'm guessing he won't be hassling horses any more!
 

MyBoyChe

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Hubs often comes for a walk with me when Im riding, he brings our little JRT with him. Arch isnt used to horses so he stays on his lead, he is very well behaved, as is my horse, but Im afraid I wouldnt trust either not to injure the other. Although they are both well behaved and will touch noses and sniff each other very happily, they have completely different responses to different situations and its an accident waiting to happen! In the main, where I ride, dog and horseowners alike are very courteous to each other and take care not to get in each others way. There is 1 lady I meet though, both when riding or out with all 3 of my dogs, who has zero control over her 2 little terriers. Sweet little dogs, but completely babied and spoilt, totally ignore her screaming at them and jump all over my dogs and behind and under the horse. I dont think she realises I am the same person. The last time they ran behind Muds, her reaction was "isnt he good, doesnt mind them at all". I did point out that it is a bridleway and not all horses will be as tolerant and one kick to her small dogs will be curtains. Im not sure she believed me! Totally down to the owners Im afraid :(
 

Elbie

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Its a bit hit and miss around us. Most of the time dog owners are great, then we get a few that can't really call their dogs back and make a bit of a half hearted effort and then there are a select few who can have a bit of an attitude.

Always remember riding back to the yard with my friend. There's a big field where the dog walkers go, then the bridleway is around the perimeter fenced off with stock fencing. This black lab was having a grand old game of running up to the fence barking at us for about 30 seconds then running back to the owner. Each time, the owner just completely ignored the dog and was too busy chatting away to friends. Luckily the horses were unphased but it was really getting on our wick that the owner didn't seem bothered. We kept thinking "right, this time she's going to put it on a lead"...nope. After the 5th time of the dog running up to us my friend turned around and shouted across "could you put your dog on a lead please? That's the 5th time now he has run up to us". She wasn't rude, just matter of fact. The owner didn't say sorry, she just said "3rd time actually" with a proper attitude! We then informed her it was 5 TIMES and that we're lucky the horses are ok but one day she might come across some that aren't. She still didn't put the dog on a lead but made an effort to call it back before it reached us again.

Also had a Weimerana (sp?) run up to us, hackles up crouched down, barking. The owner just panicked and stood there going "oh! oh!" I was like "erm...could you perhaps grab your dog?" It was like she'd just shut down!
 

millikins

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On the whole it's mildly irritating because most dogs are just daft or curious and most horses are pretty tolerant, but people should always be able to recall their dogs for situations where this is not the case. For example, I took the new pony for a walk 2nd day of owning him, understandably a bit nervous (him not me), we met a family picknicking with 2 labs, dogs approached stalking, one had hackles up, 50yds from owners who were calling with no effect whatsoever. I don't want my youngster frightened unnecessarily, if your dogs don't obey off the lead, they shouldn't be off it. The dogs did back off when I told them off but personally I cannot see the enjoyment in owning an animal you have no control over,
 

ihatework

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I have to say I am very lucky in that I have never come across an aggressive dog out hacking in my nearly 30 years of riding.

The vast majority are adequately under control. The odd one might be a bit untrained/exuberant, but I expect all my horses to cope with that (and they do). Animals aren't robots, I can't guarentee my horse will never spook and I don't expect every dog to be 100% well behaved 100% of the time.
 

ladyt25

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Well, sort of.

The incident was totally avoidable - had the owners called their dog back to them. Despite my warning that my horse would kick the dog. Well the horse did kick, connected with the dogs head and that was that. Very, very upsetting for the owners, and yes me. But of course it highlights the importance of having your dog under control around horses.

Luckily that's the only issue I've ever had with a dog - and it ended tragically.

I absolutely agree with Ladyt25 that we should be tolerant of each other, and we should use the countryside in harmony with each other. Thankfully most do. I also agree that the majority of dogs are not aggressive.

There are a minority of dogs who are aggressive and a minority of dog owners who are not in control of their dogs all the time. However, it just bugs me when many horse-riders are so quick to blame everyone else when their horse reacts to dogs in a negative way.
I am in my thirties and have been riding for around 30 years and I guess I'm from the 'old school' of riding where you are expected to have control of your horse....! ��
 

AmyMay

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There are a minority of dogs who are aggressive and a minority of dog owners who are not in control of their dogs all the time. However, it just bugs me when many horse-riders are so quick to blame everyone else when their horse reacts to dogs in a negative way.
I am in my thirties and have been riding for around 30 years and I guess I'm from the 'old school' of riding where you are expected to have control of your horse....! ��

I can't, and don't, disagree with anything you have said.

However in this instance the situation quickly escalated, and I was powerless to prevent what happened.

My horses have always been impeccably behaved, and dogs have never, ever been an issue. Unfortunately it did become one for this particular horse though, and she had to be withdrawn from the hunting field because of it - she simply could not tolerate dogs (hounds) around her heals.
 

The Fuzzy Furry

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I am in my thirties and have been riding for around 30 years and I guess I'm from the 'old school' of riding where you are expected to have control of your horse....! ��

I have 20 yrs on you :) and thus a few more riding yrs ;)

There has always been the odd incident locally since I've been riding our commons since the late 60's, but over the past 3 or 4 yrs things have gradually got worse & worse.
We have fantastic hacking - but are very close to motorways & a big town.

There are many dog 'walking' who cannot recall at all. That said, we have many lovely lovely people who recall their dogs without being asked, always smiling & being pleasant - sharing the lovely area :)

If I had been paid a quid for each time I have heard 'he only wants to play' - I'd have more money than a lottery winner (okay, I exaggerate a little).

Since Feb,
I have had 1 dog lock onto my horses NH fetlock (small puncture wound - dog walloped off with hunting whip, owner reported)
Staffie cross hanging from CF's tail - again beaten hard with whip, owner no attempt to call dog, took another (brave!) dog walker to scruff dog & haul it off.
Several skirmishes with toy dogs, a pair of greyhounds (off-lead & unmuzzled) diving round & round whilst owner looked on haplessly & CF & I stood still till owner managed to entice them off.
Only last week had a great dane (honestly) bound up barking madly, despite the owner knowing it is a damned menace with horses. After the 4th approach, CF whipped round & fled about 50 yrds. Again, another dog walker collared the dog, both she & I reported owner to police & dog warden.

As of Thursday just gone, we have a new very pro-active dog warden, who is reminding people about control in a public place, checking insurances for the professionals who take 6 to 10 dogs out at a time.

Rioting hounds are 1 thing, rioting domestic pet dogs are a complete and utter nightmare :mad3:
 
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MagicMelon

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IMO people should keep dogs on leads. I'm getting more fed up of it. I was simply walking down the street last week in my local town and a dog (one of those that stereotypically you would generally give a wide berth) who was trundling along ahead of its owner (clearly on drugs) and it wonders up to me, jumps up on my knee so I put my hand down to push it off and the sodding thing goes for my hand! It actually tried to snap at me with a load bark/growl noise. I was horrified and leapt back, the owner mumbles something about the dog being fine and that she was just in a funny mood as she was pregnant. WTF?! What if I had my 2yo son with me and the dog did this?! I was so shocked this sort of dog was allowed to wonder merrily down a BUSY street. Disgraceful. I'm sick of dogs who are off the lead being allowed to come up to my child or my own dog (on lead) when I have no idea how friendly or otherwise it is. I never let my dog off the lead when off our property. She's extremely friendly but I will not risk upsetting anyone else.
 
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zaminda

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I have had several instances over the years, and a friend ended up in hospital after her horse was attacked, and when she came off, the dog went for her! Dog owner just stomped off without a word of apology.
I suspect we are more likely to highlight the negative instances, than the positive ones, although we usually say most dog owners are fine.
 
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