Dog chased my horse

I was out riding in the 'summer' with a small child on pretty bomb proof pony, on a bridle path in forestry, all of a sudden 2 spaniels appeared at speed, I told child 2 pay attention in case my horse spooked, dogs started coming at us at speed and barking, both my horse and her pony span and shot off, poor child hit the deck, luckily I stayed on and her pony stayed by mine so I easily caught him. Next thing, owners of dogs appeared, walked past very distressed child on the floor, obviously hurt, caught dogs and jogged off!! I was livid! Not a single word of apology or offer of help to child, just went. If I ever see them or their bl**dy dogs again, they'll be sorry then! I'm a dog owner/walker myself before any1 jumps to their defence!
 
When I said appeared at speed, I meant came out of bushes chasing us, which is what spooked the horses. Sorry not clear, typing on mobile so didnt proof read :-)
 
bonny said:
Word of warning to those suggesting using a whip to keep a dog away from their horse, from the other side as a dog walker....I have a middle aged collie, the most mild mannered dog you could ever meet who is completly disinterested in anyone she meets either cannine, human or equine. Yesterday we went on a long walk along a path used by alot of walkers, cyclists etc and as usual she trots along ignoring everybody ....then we meet a horse. I have horses, she's spent her whole life ignoring them and then yesterday she crosses the path behind stupid horse riding woman mounted on an enormous chestnut steed. Woman stops her horse, waving a schooling whip in my dogs face and shouting at me that she'll be kicked. dog wanders off minding her own business, horse looks disinterested, perhaps used to stupid woman waving a whip around it's back legs. My only reply was rubbish but with hindsight I wish I'd been more vocal. Riders do not own the world or the right to ride along and everyone to scuttle out their way. Just be careful that the dog is actually intend on causing harm as if not it gives the public yet another reason to think badly of horsepeople.
Click to expand...

Perhaps this 'stupid' woman has had incidents with dogs before and you allowing your dog to cross closely behind was threatening to her or the horse? IMO you should have called your dog to heel and not let it close enough to be waved at for the safety of your dog and the horse. You might know that your dog is quiet and used to horses but how are we to know she won't snap at heels?
 
Thanks for all replies, police been over incident, going to have friendly word with dog owner,phone BHS tomorrow, thanks Peter, horse just checked as lives on our farm, 50m from house and calm eating drinking etc just small cut and lost shoe, so relieved could of ended up so much worse.
 
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer such an attack you should report the matter to the police stating that you where in ‘apprehension of injury’ due to the dog’s actions potentially causing you to be thrown. It can be argued that there was an offence under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The case of R v Nash 2011 at Birmingham Magistrates Court, Appealed to Crown and upheld by HH Judge Faber, held that the offence was complete if the dog’s conduct was enough for the rider to apprehend injury by way of causation.
If the Police still refuse to take action, you should complain to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The Town Police Clauses Act 1847
Dog owners have a duty to ensure that their animals does not threaten or harm a member of the public. The act makes it an offence for any ‘unmizzled ferocious dog’ to be at large in any street (the term is defined as including any public passage and therefore covers all rights of way).

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) act 1953 and the animals act 1971 are important in assessing liability for harm done by dogs.
 
LOL I am so using that if I experience loose dogs bothering my horse!


littlelegs said:
Always turn the horse to face the dog, & if it doesn't scarper walk towards it, or even trot towards it. And even a pair of dogs acting as a pack intent on doing serious harm, rather than playing will back away from one cantering at them.
For the average just wanting to play dog, with owner making no effort to retrieve it, I find walking towards the owner making the same ineffective 'don't worry the horse won't bite, just wants to play, only young' etc type comments works a treat.
Click to expand...
 
Happy with police owners just very naive to have that type of dog off lead where there is a bridleway, lurchers will chase by nature, I have learnt to have dogs on lead if in doubt anyone else likely to be around as worried they do anything wrong.not that they have. Bet they are more careful now go else where!
 
Bonny- my pony was very badly mauled by a pit bull. Mauled as in almost fatal. If your dog walked behind me on a bridleway, minding its own business, I'd not bat an eye lid. I agree, woman sounds like a prat. It's all very well saying dogs should be on a lead regardless, or the rider might have been attacked before, but that's tough. The dog or dog walker may well have had some incompetent rider treat them inconsiderately before, that doesn't mean they can go round demanding everyone hack on a lr, or abusing all riders just incase. And tbh, if a dog isn't actually bothering a horse, any horse or rider who has issues with a dog walking past or even having a quick bark as it passes by, shouldn't be out hacking imo.
 
littlelegs said:
Bonny- my pony was very badly mauled by a pit bull. Mauled as in almost fatal. If your dog walked behind me on a bridleway, minding its own business, I'd not bat an eye lid. I agree, woman sounds like a prat. It's all very well saying dogs should be on a lead regardless, or the rider might have been attacked before, but that's tough. The dog or dog walker may well have had some incompetent rider treat them inconsiderately before, that doesn't mean they can go round demanding everyone hack on a lr, or abusing all riders just incase. And tbh, if a dog isn't actually bothering a horse, any horse or rider who has issues with a dog walking past or even having a quick bark as it passes by, shouldn't be out hacking imo.
Click to expand...

Brilliant post and I agree with every word. I felt the dozy woman I met yesterday put riders in a bad light. Sorry to hear about your pony btw is he ok now ?
 
She's fine thanks Bonny, it was about 15yrs ago now. Got plenty of scars but being grey they just blended in as dapples at the time. And although it took a lot of work, she came right with dogs. If anything she's better than average with them because I spent so much time desensitizing her, & letting her chase any that have had a proper go since.
 
On a happier note, I rode on Saturday on some forest trails (Horses have permission to ride on all of them, must buy a forestry permit to ride there though). Loads and LOADS of people out with kids, dogs, everything. Every SINGLE dog walker put their dog on the lead and stopped to let us walk past. All were courteous and I made sure to say thank you with a big smile :) One owner said their dog might bark, only to see their other half had shoved a tennis ball in the dog's gob to stop it :D

The worst incident was walking past a family with 3 young boys. The youngest decided to jump out in front of me as we walked by, and play chicken! :eek: The dad grabbed him and was livid with the kid!

Thankfully Pony is an absolute angel :)
 
99.9% are fine like everything a few times something goes wrong, the owner was naive and my horse could of easily killed the dog or herself and worse a person, if I had strayed off bridleway then although dog shouldn't of done what it did I would of took some of the blame.
 
Had text from owner saying get quote for replacing lost shoe and cycling refitting other shoes, horse is not a car which can be stored till quote goes through, will have all shoes replaced as others worn and clenches now raised shoes loose, wouldn't trust shoes safe either for riding or putting nail through hoof wall. Will be told horses well being my importance.
 
I have problems with dogs and irresponsible dog owners particularly on the beach.
If hubby comes he brings a lunge whip for the dogs, but when on my own I am really tempted to get a hunting whip to get them out from between the horses back legs.

There are so many dog owners who feel it is ok to let their dog off the lead in a public space and to have no control over said dog. Most couldn't even run after it if there was a problem.
 
I've been confronted by lose dogs a few times whilst hacking, it can be a nightmare. I've found it difficult or even impossible to face the dogs at times as every time I turn my horse they just follow the back legs.

Usually the owners are a good distance away and seem to be in no hurry to retrieve their dogs!
 
Me & my mum were walking our dogs one evening on the common, where we walk every day twice a day. it was winter so the summer horse ride was closed. a horse & rider appeared, we called our dogs back but they both just sat down watching horse. rider kept coming towards us and mum was waving her hands to stop so we could get dogs on lead.
rider completely ignored us and just kept coming acting like she owned the land or something, when in fact she should not have been there in the first place.

I dont think dogs should be kept on leads just because you 'might' see a horse, you 'might' see a horse anywhere?! I hate it when riders think everyone should move out their way. when Im out hacking and see a dog I stop until it has gone or owner has it on a lead or dog seems uninterested. I would never hit the dog with my whip unless it was jumping at legs etc
 
Fair enough but I was on bridleway stopped but dog saw horse and made bee line for her several hundred metres.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top