Dog attack on my horse

[Birker2020]

I am a member of my local riding club and have been for many years. The riding club operates a system whereby they have what is known as a boundary ride which is partly round the perimeter of the grounds. Dog walkers pay a yearly fee to walk their dogs over the riding club grounds as do horse riding members of the club. Whilst riding over the grounds approx 4 weeks ago I was confronted with a snarling, barking dog who came haring towards me and my horse. The dog was jumping up at my horse Baileys legs and growling and was very aggressive. I made sure I didn't maintain eye contact with the dog and was careful not to shout so the dog would have become more agitated. The owner who was a member (members wear a coloured band) had a great deal of trouble recalling his dog but finally got it under control and walked away in the opposite direction. I reported the incident to the office and the events manager had a word with the chap whose dog it was.

Imagine my surprise when exactly the same thing happened today with the same dog who was intent in trying to scare my lovely horse. Luckily Bailey stood his ground as before and the owner eventually recalled the dog once again, and we walked calmly off in the other direction but then it turned around and ran towards us again and the whole performance was repeated. I told the man in no uncertain terms that his dog should be under control and if he couldn't control it then he should have it on a lead and told him that he had been warned about this once before and I was going to report him to the office again. I did report him and my partner who works at the club rode over on the quad bike to have a word with the dogs owner who claimed that his dog was 'young' and 'territorial' and that was why it behaved as it did. He said he didn't realise the grounds were still open to horses (which I don't believe for one minute) and that if he saw a horse again he would put the dog on a lead. I don't find his excuses are justified and I am concerned that such an aggressive dog is allowed off lead near horses. If it had been any horse other than Bailey I am sure they would have turned tail and bolted which could have led to very consequences particularly as the ride leads directly through an open gate onto the main drive which leads to a busy main road. I am also concerned that the dog could attack a young child if it is that way inclined.

What amazes me the most is that the dog is a golden retriever. I thought such dogs had very even temperaments. The dog wasn't barking because it was scared of the horse as so many dogs do do. It was simply very aggressive to the point where I thought it would bite my horse. It shook me up. I am extremely proud of how my boy reacted to the dog. He spooks at everything from a daisy to a show jumping pole on the ground so I am very proud of him for standing his ground and not bolting with me.

A previous horse many years ago was also attacked by a dog - this was a staffy and he was bitten before lashing out at the dog and breaking his jaw with his foot. The police told me after I reported the incident that if I saw the dog again I was to ring 999 so they do take dog attacks very seriously.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Any breed of dog has the potential to display prey drive, they're all descended from wolves, after all, if it's hairy and it moves suddenly, it is attractive (hmmm, maybe that is a bad analogy ) - and prey drive towards other animals does not necessarily equal that this dog will be an unmitigated child-killer.
I do appreciate had you been a young rider on a flighty pony the situation could have been a lot worse.

However, agree this is unacceptable and well done to your boy, and to you for remaining calm, so often we humans can make the situation worse by panicking.

 

[Birker2020]

Any breed of dog has the potential to display prey drive, they're all descended from wolves, after all, if it's hairy and it moves suddenly, it is attractive (hmmm, maybe that is a bad analogy ) - and prey drive towards other animals does not necessarily equal that this dog will be an unmitigated child-killer.
I do appreciate had you been a young rider on a flighty pony the situation could have been a lot worse.

However, agree this is unacceptable and well done to your boy, and to you for remaining calm, so often we humans can make the situation worse by panicking.

I think what annoyed me the most is that a) this is the second time by the same dog so clearly lessons were not learnt first time round b) the dogs owner clearly has no dog handling/controlling skills c) the dog should not be allowed off its lead in a location where horse could be d) saying that he will put the dog on the lead when he comes across another dog will be like shutting the door when the horse has bolted (or when the dog has bolted towards the horse). He could muzzle it but this would not provide the answer either as it is not going to prevent it running at horses and possibly causing them to bolt.

Total nightmare. I am ashamed to say that I wanted to leap off my horse and lay into the owner (and not the dog) with my whip.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh I totally agree about the lead, mine wouldn't have a chance in hell of getting off the lead around a horse.
I've never got off, but I have got up close and personal with a stick and a loose dog from up top, before now

 

[AnnieM&M]

So sorry to hear that !
Early this year i was cooling my ex race down a country lane and out of the bush on 1 side a young boxer looking dog popped out right infront of us, me and the horse carried as normal... then it suddenly jumped onto my boys chest, he started spinning and when i managed to get him to stop i realised there were suddenly 3/4 dogs around me (all the same, looked under 2yrs) they cornered my horse pushing him each side of the lane and he kept trying to bolt, after about 20secs the owner finally arrived following the comotion chasing us all trying to regain control of her dogs. At one point i had one being flung from my horses tail after trying to climb him and the others all jumping up at his legs. He was also kicking and rearing. Once she finally got her dogs under controll i walked a little further and then led him the 2mins back to the yard, he was very shaken up & dripping with sweat and ever since throws a wobbly when dogs run behind him but is getting better.
The owner did however drive up after me once her dogs were in the car to appologise, saying she would pay for all vets bills and she was suprised as they're always around her two horses. She stayed and helped me clean his wounds (luckily he was fully booted) so only had superficial scratches on his chest, stomach and a minor puncture on his hind leg. I never heard if he'd done any damage to her dogs but hope you and your horse are okey... reminds us how unpredictable they are and how strong their natural instincts are

 

[Louby]

This is one of my worse nightmares. Ive had a couple of scary encounters with dogs and it does worry me when I hack out.
The man shouldnt have his dog off the lead if he knows it can be aggressive or he should at least ut a muzzle on then at least no injuries will occur.
But really, why has this man still got his membership to walk an aggressive dog on ponyclub land (sorry if Ive got this wrong) Surely after one warning and another talking too, the ponyclub should tell him hes no longer welcome.

 

[Aperchristmas]

I know exactly how you feel - my nervy TB was attacked by the same collie twice. I could have murdered the woman who barely said sorry when her dog tried to latch on to my boy's nose. He is very head-shy so you can imagine how terrified he was. She muttered some excuse about him being a rescue and it was only the shock of the incidents that stopped me from losing it with her. If the dog is prone to aggressive behaviour, then it needs to be on a lead. End of.

 

[somethingorother]

I have found using common commands such as 'sit' in a stern voice can get through to some dogs when in similar situations. Those whose owners have bothered to train them i guess. I have also resorted to beating a staffy type off with a branch before now. But very similar to you, i had an incident a few weeks ago with a very aggressive Collie. We were on a busy winding road, on a bend, hacking to the moors. It ran straight over the road and circled the two horses lunging and barking. It's owner was a slightly elderly man who made feeble attempts to plea with it for control. we stood there for about 5 minutes with this dog barking. Lucky that a) no traffic came over the hill, and b) both horses stood rock solid. So i can sympathise but i guess at least you know that your horse will be fine with dogs and remain calm next time it happens. Unfortunately it probably will, too many people out there who cant be bothered to train their dogs.

Hope it gets resolved on the club track soon though. Maybe you could suggest putting signs up?

 

[Tinypony]

Surely if the dog walkers pay an annual fee, there must be some rules attached to being allowed to use the grounds. If they don't say that dogs must be kept on leads at all times, then they should. I think you need to pursue this with the club officials and get them to contact the dog's owner.

 

[Shay]

Do report this. BHS are collecting data on things like dog attacks to support greater controls. www.horseaccidents.org.uk

The more data they have on what we all know if far from an occasional attack the better.

 

[poodle20]

Haven't suffered a dog attack as such, but my OH was in the field with our 4 when a woman walks past (there are public footpaths through the next field) with 2 dogs. OH asked her to put dogs on lead, but of course, she said her dogs were fine around horses. Both dogs ran into our field and started chasing the horses, my OH was caught up in the middle of it all. He gave the woman a bit of a mouthful and we haven't seen her since. This is one of my pet hates, dogs not on leads on footpaths through livestock, and also liveries who don't keep dogs on leads and let them wander all over the place, pooping everywhere. I have dogs of my own and don't take them to the yard because I can't keep an eye on them and also an eye on the horses. Well behaved dogs are great, but owners who let their dogs do what they want are a nightmare. Hope you and horse are O.K and that your horse isn't too traumatised by it all.

 

[Birker2020]

I think a strongly worded letter to the club officials, with some threats of legal action in between the lines if you or your horse are injured, the fact he was warned before and still did it again, nation of ar******s

I have to be careful how I react to this, as my partner lives on site and I don't want to leave him open to any problems caused as a result of my feelings or actions.

We have already lost a favourite hen some months ago as a result of a staffy jumping our five bar gate but it is a members club and dog walkers and horse riders need to get on along side each other. However, this amounts to a certain amount of responsibility being shown on both sides and it seems like the responsiblity is falling short on the dog walkers side.

I have raised this latest attack as I did the previous one with the office and I hope they do something about it quickly before it is too late and someone gets seriously hurt or killed as a result.

 

[FinkleyAlex]

I agree its unacceptable. A yard I was on had a staffordshire terrier who was fairly young, absolutely lovely with humans but I once caught her chasing my poor pony around the field, pretty intent on having a chew on his fetlock. It took me ages to shoo her away and catch my pony. Yard owners were terrific - they couldn't have her threatening the horses and she was given to a friend. I felt bad as she was a lovely dog but a danger to horses, and living on a yard was not idea for her. I suppose your situation is a little different as both you and the dog's owners are clients - I'd try and have a word with the owner as his dog is obviously out of control and shouldn't be off the lead unless she can come back to call.

 

[Chilaili]

so sorry to hear of this. I had my mare attacked by a dog on a local beauty spot whilst riding on a bridle path! the dog jumped out of bushes and latched itself onto my mares hind leg causing a puncture wound, my mare was at the back of a line of 4 horses. she now as a splint and was lame for 2 weeks. whilst the attack was happening my mare was panicking i was screaming at the dog and hitting with a whip the owners were screaming at me not to hurt their dog as it had its jaw clamped around my horses leg!!

My stables are located on a bridle path and on a daily basis I have to ask dog walkers to put their dogs on a lead while they are passing through our land! they don’t seem to care when their dog runs into the horses field/stable block and around the yard! I have had many an argument with inconsiderate dog walkers! I find reminding them of that ancient law that a dog can be shot for upsetting livestock horses do fall under this heading!

HCH you are more than welcome to bring anything to my place! i even have a spare stable at the moment! I know only too well how light fingered, vindictive and down right evil they can be!!

 

[c_and_b]

so sorry to hear about the attack on your horse OP
occasionally there are incidents at our yard where dogs run under the fence and into the field to chase the horses, the owners are all very lucky that no dogs have been kicked yet, but its only a matter of time

I suppose in this situation if the YO doesn't have a problem then you really have no say as you are only a livery, especially when there are literally hundreds of dogs walking through but you seem to think Murphy is responsible for every poo that ever happens. Don't start having little digs at me on here as I might just start talking about idiots that leave ponies loose to wander on roads because 'they can't catch it' and they don't bother closing gates to try and keep it safe! I also find it interesting as to how the pony got out in the first place and suspect he had help as part of your 'notice' game! Whilst we are at it, should anything of mine go missing during your move I know exactly where to send my friends to look for it!

So sorry for hijacking thread OP but needed to be said!

woahh, its all kicking off on here!! *

 

[flyingfeet]

I would change your whip to a hunting crop and give the lab a good flick if it tries again!

If I have any problems with dogs in the village, I'll swap to the hunting crop, one flick when you mean it and they often won't bother horses ever again.

Its a shame owner cannot have more consideration, but at least if the dog is put off trying you may put an end to future problems

 

[gunnergundog]

Hi Applecart.....are we talking SRC here? If so, I think I know who you mean. Are you or your other half on the committee?? I tried a few years ago to do something about aggressive dogs up there after having been bitten by one but got short shrift. Would be happy to join forces if you want to PM me.

 

[Luci07]

I agree its unacceptable. A yard I was on had a staffordshire terrier who was fairly young, absolutely lovely with humans but I once caught her chasing my poor pony around the field, pretty intent on having a chew on his fetlock. It took me ages to shoo her away and catch my pony. Yard owners were terrific - they couldn't have her threatening the horses and she was given to a friend. I felt bad as she was a lovely dog but a danger to horses, and living on a yard was not idea for her. I suppose your situation is a little different as both you and the dog's owners are clients - I'd try and have a word with the owner as his dog is obviously out of control and shouldn't be off the lead unless she can come back to call.

That is the ENTIRELY the fault of the owner and nothing to do with the breed. I have always had staffies around horses - and exactly like every other new dog, have to be introduced and TRAINED around horses. None of my staffies or my families would dream of going to nip a horse or anywhere near them.

I am not suprised that the dog that attacked you was a retriever. I have nothing against the breed but people do make assumptions and it is how the dog is trained not the breed that the biggest impact. My friends lab was badly savaged by a St Bernard, another friend lost her big dog after being attacked by a lab, the most aggressive dog in our village is a cocker spaniel. The soppiest and best trained dog I know is a rottweiller...

I have found that telling dog owners who can't control their dogs that my horse is very likely to kick it and kill it has had an immediate effect of making them control them but, although we have a lot of dog walkers near us, it is very very rare to find someone who can't control or hold back their dogs when we meet them.