Dogs and horses...

Spudlet

Spudlet

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Anyone remember the thread about dogs and horses a while back where I said I was going to write to a dog magazine with a few tips for dog owners who might not be horsey?

Well I got a parcel today... it's going to be the star letter!:D Henry has a big box of new toys to play with!
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V chuffed - hope the letter helps and does the job it was meant to anyway.:)
 
Missed your original post so can I be filled in?

Anyway, what a nice surprise, although your pooch is still making the 'sad' eyes. Clearly all those new toys are just not enough. Henry is clearly the most hard done by dog in the world!

He has that face down to a fine art doesn't he?! :D
 
It was a thread about dog owners not knowing about horses, so I said I thought it might partly be that people just didn't realise what to do and wrote a letter to a dog mag - things like explaining how much damage a kick could do, call your dog to heel / put it onto a lead, make sure the horse can still see you, say hello if the horse looks spooked so they know you're just a person, try and introduce your dog to horses if you can and so on. A few people here helped with extra bits to put in that I hadn't thought of as well, so thanks to them:) Also, about not being worried to ask horse riders to slow down if your dog starts getting over-excited and so on - bit of give and take on both sides because at the end of the day we are all out there for the same reason - to enjoy the countryside with our best four-legged mates.:)
 
lol he was unimpressed I made him sit still for a pic - off to training now so we'll see what he makes of them there;)
 
I saw the letter and I was impressed that someone had taken the time to write it and from the perspective of walking in the field And coming across loose horses, not just coming across ridden horses where there's a person with the horse who can tell the dog owner how to react.
 
Your dog looks like my dog! How funny he looks really pleased to have won!

I think a juicy bone in order to compensate!
 
Sorry only just back from dog training & then helping my friend out with her young horse (had forgotten how much fun babies can be:D) It is in Your Dog mag. Blueneonrainbow - thanks, I can't even remember what I put tbh! But I wanted people to be able to feel confident around horses if they happened across them, it's easy to forget how big and unpredictable they can seem when someone is not used to them:)

You will be glad to know that we did a specific section on dog-horse socialisation in my puppy class today, all the pups did very well too so that is hopefully half a dozen canine good citizens in the making;)
 
OK, but no one be finding fault or typoes now, it's too late for that;)

Dear Ms Wright

I've been really worried recently by problems that seem to be happening when dogs and horses meet each other out and about. As a rider, I know that being chased by a dog is a frightening and dangerous experience and as a dog owner I want to make sure that dogs stay safe. Horses can be dangerous to dogs: they can bite or kick if they feel threatened, and as flight or fight animals they can react very quickly to things that seem completely harmless to us. It's important that horses are well trained, but we dog owners need to know what to do when we meet horses too:

1. If you see a horse, call your dog to heel and put the lead on if necessary. Don't let your dog approach a horse, as this could place your dog in danger of being kicked.

2. Try to keep moving past the horse, giving it plenty of room. If necessary, ask your dog to sit at the side of the path and keep their focus on you until the horse has passed. Make sure the horse can still see you though - horses are not always very clever, and if you move behind trees or bushes they may think you are hiding and become frightened. If a horse does seem frightened, it can help to speak calmly to them.

3. Keep yourself between your dog and the horse. If a rider is coming towards you quickly and your dog is getting excited, don't be afraid to ask them to slow down. They may not have seen that you have a dog, or they might just not understand that dogs can find a fast-moving horse very interesting.

4. If you meet loose horses, don't let your dog greet them. Horses can react suddenly and unpredictably, and what may be playful behaviour to a horse can seriously hurt a dog. If horses approach you, don't panic - just keep moving steadily. Don't walk behind a horse as they will lose sight of you when you're directly behind them and they might kick out as a result - always make sure you pass in front of them.

5. It makes sense to familiarise your dog with horses, just like socialising them with other dogs. One way to do this is to visit local shows, which are often a great day out in their own right. Alternatively you could visit horse sanctuaries in your area, which will often be free. Just remember to check dogs are welcome before you go.

6. Most importantly of all - never let your dog chase a horse. This is dangerous to you, your dog, the horse, the rider, and anyone else in the area.

I really think that dog owners and horse owners have a lot in common. After all, we have the same goal - to enjoy our lovely countryside in the company of our best friends. With a bit of give and take on both sides, we should be able to do just that. I hope this letter will help, even if just a little!

Yours sincerely
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