Barking dogs on private land causing horse to bolt

[Rowreach]

I hack past a garden where the dog (a something-a-poo) runs up and down the fence barking wildly at my horse. At least, it used to. I have it well trained now, by stopping and chatting to it. The dog was barking because it was intimidated by my horse, not the other way round.

There are lots of things I could complain about when riding on the roads. People's dogs in their gardens not being one of them.

I know someone who stopped hacking out because of a plastic heron in a garden, which their horse didn't like ...

 

[ester]

A firm 'quiet' has worked for me on a surprising number of occasions.

 

[irishdraft]

I have exactly the same problem a house at the end of my only bridleway has a dalmatian that will rush the fence barking furiously not helped that you have to open a difficult gate next to their property. Thankfully the one thing my over reactive mare is fairly ok with is barking dogs but I've long thought it's an accident waiting to happen.

 

[splashgirl45]

The world has gone mad, people now mustn’t let their own dogs in the own garden in case someone feels threatened . Bloomin ridiculous . The horse needs to learn that it can’t run every time it sees something it doesn’t like. The dogs are behind a fence so no danger to either horse or rider . OP needs to get horse used to odd things , maybe get someone with a calm horse to babysit or practice taking horse past while on foot , then get back on and resume ride.. there will always be something that will scare him so he needs to take confidence from his rider

 

[Red-1]

One of the reason I shout, "Hello Doggies!" is to ensure that, if they are out, they start barking before I get level.

My dogs bark at passing horses on occasion. They are well contained. Fortunately, no one thinks I should run my life due to them not training their horse.

I do not think this is the correct use of any control of dogs law. It will marginalise horse riders.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

When I was in South Africa, we used to be chased along the fence line of a favourite track by a horde of angry ostriches

Goodness did that teach me to sit deep!

 

[Gloi]

When I was in South Africa, we used to be chased along the fence line of a favourite track by a horde of angry ostriches

Goodness did that teach me to sit deep!

We had some emus next to where I rode.

 

[ester]

Frank got turned out in a field with emus when we went on holiday to the new forest. The host had not told me she had emus, Frank really doesn't like birds at the best of times .

We did used to hack past a camel that would run to the fence and spit.

 

[maya2008]

You need to get your pony used to the dogs. There is no real threat, just noise. So desensitising could start at home with recordings playing around her, with taking her there and practising standing near the dogs while she gets treats then slowly getting nearer.

We have a couple of horses locally who like to gallop up and down the fenceline of whichever field they are in. We got stuck on a bridleway once with one of them lunging over the fence at us, galloping off then back then lunging over again, teeth bared. Herds of young cattle do similar - thundering up and down as you ride past. I have kids and young ponies - it’s part of their education to learn to walk calmly past, no point trying to avoid it all!

So…desensitise your pony and if it helps, get off and lead past! Works for us, in part because once the kids are on the ground, they aren’t scared so can give confidence to the ponies.

 

[Rowreach]

Many years ago I lived near Tanya Larrigan and would often meet her exercising various circus animals in the woods where we hacked. Fortunately no lions or tigers

 

[Lady Jane]

We have over the years barking dogs in garden's running their fence line. The horses did more or less get used to them and as we knew where they were would wait until there was no traffic until we passed

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Actually there is something that you can do! You can ask the local District Councils Enforcement Officer to compel the owners of the property to prevent the dogs from coming close to the boundary of their property by using the Enviromental Protection Act as a kidmmended. Another case where this was sucesfully used was on a bridleway that passed a property and the dogs disturbed any horse that passed.

The correct (in law) answer to this probably lies in the Control of Dogs Act and Dangerous Dogs Acts. Both are explained somewhere on line, and one at least was updated not long ago. One of them states that there is an offence if a dog intimidates a person, the test certainly used to be from the perception of the 'victim'. They have different requirements as to whether the dog is on private property, also one includes 'attacks' on other people's animals and the other doesn't. (Sorry I can't remember all the details. )

The best way to approach this could be to ignore the fact that a horse is involved. Take a look at this legislation. YOU felt threatened and under attack - that might be enough to trigger an offence and enable you to get action. Possibly don't confuse the issue by making it a horse matter.

I see you have posted in the Tack Room. Maybe try posting this in the dog section - you may have more chance of getting a response from those who know dog law.

Unless my dogs where nonstop barking for hours, especially if at night, in which case I would find it completely reasonable for people to complain, I would not appreciate if someone tried to tell me when or how my dogs could be out in my own garden. Especially in the city where basically the majority of my garden is within x distance from, and along the road, and I would basically have no garden left to let out my dogs in.
Unless you pay me for the land I've paid to own, and have to pay tax for owning every year, but would no longer be able to use, I would never willingly agree to not be able to use it. And if some law forced me to not be allowed to let my dogs be in my own garden, I'd probably go so barking mad I'd start running around along my fence line myself.

Coming to think about it, only some weeks ago I told someone that I love the sound of bagpipes, and she replied that she once lived next to someone who played his bagpipe out in his garden. Perhaps something makes me mad enough one day to also give bagpipes a try.
Or maybe I could start learning Kulning, a Swedish/Nordic herding call with ancient traditions. Can apparently also be used to call wild swans.

(WARNING: If anyone decides to press play, be careful with your volume)

 

[Rowreach]

She got louder as the swan got nearer

 

[Red-1]

She got louder as the swan got nearer

I thought my volume was OK until she started. I was then pounced on by dogs, so switched it off!!!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Many years ago I lived near Tanya Larrigan and would often meet her exercising various circus animals in the woods where we hacked. Fortunately no lions or tigers

Many years ago when it was still legal to keep wild animals as pets in Britain, one of our favourite hacking routes, which made it easy to go past grandparents' house, often had a lioness sitting on a flat roof at the side of the road. She was chained up and she never made any kind of move towards us but I was never truly comfortable. The horse, who had been driven in Blackpool, didn't turn a hair.

 

[millikins]

Or maybe I could start learning Kulning, a Swedish/Nordic herding call with ancient traditions. Can apparently also be used to call wild swans.

(WARNING: If anyone decides to press play, be careful with your volume)

[/QUOTE]

I've always found bread works......

 

[ponynutz]

Unless my dogs where nonstop barking for hours, especially if at night, in which case I would find it completely reasonable for people to complain, I would not appreciate if someone tried to tell me when or how my dogs could be out in my own garden. Especially in the city where basically the majority of my garden is within x distance from, and along the road, and I would basically have no garden left to let out my dogs in.
Unless you pay me for the land I've paid to own, and have to pay tax for owning every year, but would no longer be able to use, I would never willingly agree to not be able to use it. And if some law forced me to not be allowed to let my dogs be in my own garden, I'd probably go so barking mad I'd start running around along my fence line myself.

Coming to think about it, only some weeks ago I told someone that I love the sound of bagpipes, and she replied that she once lived next to someone who played his bagpipe out in his garden. Perhaps something makes me mad enough one day to also give bagpipes a try.
Or maybe I could start learning Kulning, a Swedish/Nordic herding call with ancient traditions. Can apparently also be used to call wild swans.

(WARNING: If anyone decides to press play, be careful with your volume)

I was in fact NOT careful enough with my volume

 

[little_critter]

Many years ago when it was still legal to keep wild animals as pets in Britain, one of our favourite hacking routes, which made it easy to go past grandparents' house, often had a lioness sitting on a flat roof at the side of the road. She was chained up and she never made any kind of move towards us but I was never truly comfortable. The horse, who had been driven in Blackpool, didn't turn a hair.

I used to livery near Longleat. Sometimes we could hear the lions and wolves if the wind was in the right direction.
Im amazed that none of the horses had any reaction at all to hearing a lion roar.

 

[Sossigpoker]

It is like anything suddenly moving behind a hedge , yes my horse might be startled but then I'd expect him to listen to me and act accordingly. And not over react. (Can't believe I'm saying this as he used to be a bolter !)
I prefer it to bark because then my horse knows it's a dog. But even if it doesn't bark , I expect my horse to follow my instruction. Best way to calm a horse is to ride it!
So put your horse "on the bit" ,.do some leg yielding or something,.anything to make him listen to you and ignore what's happening behind the hedge

At my old yard a bridleway went through someone's property (front of it) and their medium sized dog would come charging towards you , barking. I nearly panicked the first time- but the dog always stops before reaching you , but it's still a bit scary.
Owners always call it away and yes I know strictly speaking it shouldn't be intimidating people on a public right of way - but that dog provided such great training opportunities I'm grateful for it!

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I was in fact NOT careful enough with my volume

Sorry, kulning usually/a lot of the time contains some quite high tones, it was developed to be used in valleys, and meant to be clearly heard even on a far away distance.

 

[scruffyponies]

Presumably those advocating legal action to control the dogs would also want pheasants, pigeons and deer prosecuted for occasionally startling a passing horse.

Seriously OP, look at this as the best opportunity you could have to prepare your horse for similar but less predictable, and therefore less safe situations.

My daughter and I were chased by a large lurcher a while back. We pulled up calm and safe with the dog right on our tails precisely because we have shown them plenty of barking, running, jump-scare inducing dogs, so they didn't see cause to panic.

 

[Red-1]

Presumably those advocating legal action to control the dogs would also want pheasants, pigeons and deer prosecuted for occasionally startling a passing horse.

Seriously OP, look at this as the best opportunity you could have to prepare your horse for similar but less predictable, and therefore less safe situations.

My daughter and I were chased by a large lurcher a while back. We pulled up calm and safe with the dog right on our tails precisely because we have shown them plenty of barking, running, jump-scare inducing dogs, so they didn't see cause to panic.

You are right, pigeons are the worst! They stay like statues until we are right next to them, hiding in the foliage. Then, explode into action, beating their wings on the leaves and twigs, making me jump, never mind the poor horse! Then, why on earth don't they fly AWAY? Nope, the rotten sky rats fly at us!

We also have plenty of deer. I have to keep watch in the fields as they have jumped the hedge right in front of us before now, clatter across the lane and jump the other hedge. At least I now know that they don't usually come in 1s. Noooo, once one has crossed, the whole family crosses whether you are there or not!

Yes, dogs contained firmly behind a fence, predictably barking, is a lot less of a risk IMO.

ETA a few photos where I have stopped well back as I knew more would be passing!

 

[SEL]

Can I add flags? Flagpole in their garden and they've got a brand new union jack flapping around. On a blind bend too - just had to hop off to make sure no one piled into the back of us. Didn't help that the flag appeared to be mooing (he couldn't see the cows).

 

[millikins]

Gardeners They appear as soon as the sun shines, lurk rustling behind bushes, pop up above your head waving shears as they trim hedges, I cannot count the number of gardeners who have spooked my usually very sane ponies.

 

[Hackback]

Kids on a trampoline behind a hedge is a good one too!

 

[Hackback]

A bridleway I sometimes use passes a yard where there are two dogs (I thought it was more) behind a thick hedge and they run up and down the hedge creating loudly as you ride past. The scary thing is that on the other side of the path is a deep ditch. My horse is ok with the dogs (like Red-1 I have got into the habit of making a noise to alert them before we get on top of them) but I do wonder if anyone avoids riding that bit of bridleway for fear of being spooked into the ditch. Last time I passed that way the guy was outside and when he saw me coming he went and shut the dogs away. He didn't need to, but it was nice of him anyway.

 

[Red-1]

Kids on a trampoline behind a hedge is a good one too!

I take your kids on a trampoline and raise you 2 goats on a trampoline! Made my normally very sane horse stop and stare for ages before he would deign to pass! Oh, and with a flagpole to boot!!!



The same house put up realistic looking reindeer one Xmas, the mare I had at the time was so astonished, she slipped on the lichen covered road and fell down. It gave me the opportunity to test my safety stirrups

PS, no goats, flagpoles or reindeer were prosecuted (or persecuted) in the passing of this house. Stuff happens. The owner was actually very friendly and, once I had prised the poor mare off the floor, he helped me back on with some step ladders as I was unable to hoist myself aloft

 

[Barton Bounty]

I am a dog owner and a horse owner and I can see where you are coming from. Some of the comments are pretty rude to be honest.
Is there any way you can go in hand with your horse and let them see each other quietly and safely?
There is a gsd at the bottom of the road that is a barker and I am pretty sure Ellie just wants to play but BB did get a pretty big fright as she was behind the fence. I asked the owner if she wouldnt mind bringing Ellie out and seeing BB for a couple of times any time I rode past, and now Ellie barks but it is a wag your tail bark not a ferocious one.
I am pretty sure the owner would prefer the dogs weren’t barking at the horse but maybe they are not used to them. Its just an idea

 

[Cloball]

When I was in South Africa, we used to be chased along the fence line of a favourite track by a horde of angry ostriches

Goodness did that teach me to sit deep!

There's a yard near me that has a field of Emu and pigs! I do fancy doing the chester zoo fun ride though so maybe I should go and practise.

You are right, pigeons are the worst! They stay like statues until we are right next to them, hiding in the foliage. Then, explode into action, beating their wings on the leaves and twigs, making me jump, never mind the poor horse! Then, why on earth don't they fly AWAY? Nope, the rotten sky rats fly at us!

New pony had spooked at 3 things since she arrived pigeons flying at her face, a tractor with a rattly trailer behind her and me falling over my own feet (I think she's was surprised and disappointed at my ineptitude). The school is great for pigeon practise though as they line up alone the fence and wait for you every time.