Dogs at Horse Trials

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onm

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Hi HHO

I'm a freelance writer specialising in canine and countryside topics. I'm writing an article about dogs at horse trials, exploring whether visitors should be banned form bringing dogs to these events. I'd like to hear your views on this matter and I was wondering if any of you, whether you're for or against a ban, would be willing to be quoted in my article (you can remain anonymous in the article if you like). I know that this is a long shot but I was also wondering if any of you know the general view amongst event riders regarding dogs at horse trials and whether you know any riders who would be willing to be quoted in my article (they can remain anonymous if they wish).

I'd be so grateful if you PM me your thoughts. Many thanks in advance.
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One got loose onto the XC track at Bramham, thankfully nothing serious happened but it won't of shone a very good light on the dog owners that take 100's of dogs to these events.

Lots of horsey folk have dogs and its one of those things, its an excuse to take the dog out for the day but someone's stupidity or quite simply lack of concentration can spoil it for the rest and end up banning dogs from these events.

Dogs should be on a good safe collar/chocker/harness etc where they can't slip out of them, at the end of the day its the owners common sense for the dogs safety, just as you would walking alongside a busy main road.

There should be more signs up, remind spectators about their dogs and also flash photography in certain areas.
 
Was that the one that got free during the xc of the mix and match class?

I can see the point of having dogs on leads yes, but then having been around the stables there on the sunday there were a lot of dogs round there not even near an owner, let alone wearing a collar or lead. I think a dog belonging to the woman in the office next to the stables (secretary - not sure!) was wandering around everywhere.

If eventers don't want to be chased by dogs, I think they also could lead by example?

But to be faecetious (sp?!) if it was the one that got free during the mix and match it was a lab I think - and clearly never stood a chance of catching the horse
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i dont think they should be banned at events because mnay people have very well behaved dogs that are under control...

BUT

i do think that the event organisers should reserve the right to ask people to leave the site if there dog is out of control and causing trouble as this would put people off bringin badly behaved dogs in the first place

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The pet dog is a very familier sight at events, however, I've got 3 dogs and would never in a million years even consider taking them (or just one of them) with me based on the fact that (in no particular order) they end up being dragged around the show, they get in the way of people, they get trodden on, they [sh*t] and SOME people DONT pick it up, Some irresponsible owner's are not careful enough to take care that pooch doesn't get loose and run onto the course, it CAN be a long old miserable day for the dog in either scortching weather or wet and cold weather and yet their owner's STILL insist on taking them? Owners should make prior arrangements for their pooches if they want a day out, there's enough dog sitting company's around. If owner's arguement is that there dog will get stressed if left with someone else, then simply dont go out for the day.
IMO, for the dogs sake, yes they should be banned from events.
 
It seems at almost every big 3DE you see or hear of loose dogs on course chasing competitors. It is TOTALLY unacceptable and one of these days there is a going to be a very serious accident as a result.

I think it would be a shame to ban dogs altogether but I do think the owner of any dog loose at such events should be liable for a very hefty fine- might encourage people to be a bit more careful with their animals, or better still not bring them at all if they feel there is any risk of losing control of them.
 
I was once at a horse trial where a little yappy thing got off its lead and ran into the show jumping ring where a small girl was going round, the dog chased and bit at the horses ankles and the horse understandably spooked and did everything it could to get away from the dog, throwing the child to the ground - luckily no serious injuries were caused but the girl had another go at the course but the horse was just too wound up - what a waste of a day for her !

I think it's a lovely oppertunity to take the dogs out for the day and as long as they behave around horses and don't bark at any moving thing so as to spook or put of the competitors and they are on a lead it's fine by me.

you may quote me if you like
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That is true they should lead by example but from a riders view there is a difference in dogs wondering around the stabled area where horses are no doubt used to it and being on XC course coming up at some speed to a combination of jumps where both horse and rider need to focus and can't afford any added distractions, there were a number a people that had dogs of the lead on the course walking at heal, although very well behaved they should still stick the rule, dogs on leads, otherwise they wil get dogs banned, it will only take on accident and a rider to turn around and blame it on dog and that will be it.

The amount of dogs that were left in cars as well, on hot days, even with windows open, your car is like an oven, again they had to announce car registration numbers for people to go back to tend to the their dogs....unbelievable.
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I just do not understand why people take dogs to horse events, I can't imagine the dogs would like it being dragged around.
They are a pain in the b*m when they get off and there owners just laugh and say something like 'naughty boy you must stay with mummy' or all of their leads get tangled and trip people up - they are a menace!

I always leave my two dogs at home where they are comfy, someone checks them for me and lets them out for a while.

Leave them at home!
 
mine are already booked into doggy day care for burghley xc day.

its hard enough dragging OH round the trade village, let alone the mutts as well.
 
I do see that, but if eventers want to see dogs on leads then they have to do their own housekeeping first I think.

Who's to say that one of their greyhounds or terriers one day isn't going to take off after a horse - they are animals after all, and well behaved and used to it as they are - they still have their own mind and are just as unpredictable as a member of the public's dog.

It can't be one rule for one and one for another. Dogs should be on leads at events - end of
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I don't think dogs should be banned BUT I do think people should be a littlwe more responsible - not just about keeping control of their dogs but being a little bit more aware of the dogs' needs.

At Bramham it was pretty hot the whole weekend and there seemed to be far too many owners sat around arenas with their dogs clearly very hot and i did not see many taking their dogs to have a drink often at all. Also, I saw people (one couple in particular) dragging two v young puppies (mastiffs) round the xc. You could clearly see the dogs were struggling as they just wanted to lie down but the owners continued hauling them about! I even saw them later on stil dragging them around the shops and not allowing them to rest at all.

It's a tricky subject as often horse and dog ownership goes hand in hand and there were plenty of the competitors walking around (not just the stable / horsebox area) with their dogs off the leads. Sure the dogs are used to it but many of the spectators will argue the same and out of the hundreds of dogs there there only ever seems to be the odd one that causes a stir!

However, I think the welfare of the dogs should be considered more - it is NO fun for them sitting watching horses all day (no wonder some lose it and just go for the chase!), they get tired, they get hot and too many owners don't seem to do anything about it. As for leaving them in cars - don't get me started on that one! Ideally, if you can - leave your dog(s) at home and arrange someone to walk/feed them etc if you're out all day. If you HAVE to take your dog - keep it on a lead (a proper not an extendable one), pick up their sh*t and give them opportunity to have water throughout the day!
 
Several dog incidents at Bramham -

1. Dog got under the legs of a horse and was slightly injured, wasn't much publicised as it was near the end, though Tucker did announce it later. The woman owner said "I just dropped his lead for a minute to sort out my bags"
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2. Man walked past me (I was stewarding) with dog lead in hand and terrier close behind - I asked him to put his dog on its lead. He turned round and said it wasn't his dog!!!
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I must have given him such a look!!
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He scooped up the dog and attached the lead
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3. Concerned member of the public approached me about a dog in a car. It was quite elderly and although parked in shade with windows open, the car was very hot. It took me several knocks on the window to rouse the dog, I honestly thought it was dead. Turned out it had been there all day!
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Got an announcement made over PA, but don't know if they went back to it.

These are just a few, very typical examples, of bad behaviour on the part of dog owners (Oh, apart from the one that legged me up in the Food Tent!!
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). Obviously the vast majority are reasonable well behaved, but controls need to be put in place and deterrants implemented to deal with those that aren't.

Personally, I'd confiscate any loose dog until the owner paid a large fine. Banning them would just lead to people leaving them to suffocate in cars.
 
Thought they normally just smash the windows and got the dogs out when shut in cars? I know that has been done before several times. I hope for the dog's sake someone rescued it. The RSPCA were about weren't they? I have to say i didn't hear any announcements though.

Makes me soo mad when people leave them in the cars - WHY????!!!
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Wow, thank you so much guys for your quick replies - you've all made some very valid points and I share your views. I think that a complete ban on dogs is maybe a bit radical but then dogs are banned at many agricultural shows such as the Royal because of the presence of livestock and equines, so the precedent is there to be applied to the likes of Badminton and Burghley.

I think that in the end it comes down to the organisers imposing tougher rules but above all owners should exercise some common sense. If the dog is aggressive towards other dogs then put a muzzle on; if the dog is prone to slipping its lead, keep him/her on a gundog/slip type lead; pick up after your dog and basically just think about the dog's welfare rather than parading him/her around. I can't take my dog to these types of events as he gets stressed with crowds of people and dogs. I don't think I would take him though even if he was OK to do so - it'd be too tiring for him and I don't think he'd appreciate being trampled on
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!

Many thanks again for all your opinions. Would any of you mind if I quoted some of your comments in my article (you'd remain anonymous)?
 
I take a very well behave JRT with me to Horse Trials, he comes complete with a collar and harness, my view is if you were to ban dogs, then more would be left in cars or attendance would be low....... Wouldn't a fine be better, I know it will probably cause more problems to police it but it is a means to an end......

If it's a really hot day I tend to leave him at home, last thing he wants to do is walk round in the heat, perhaps be a good thing if other did that.

I can't understand why people take dogs with them and then leave them in the car, either put them in the creche provided or leave them at home, don't subject them to a hot car, how would you like it....
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Not sure what the exact protocol is, I think its for the RSPCA to decide.

It was quite late in the day (about 17:00) and the RSPCA were not on site. Event Secretary called them, but they wanted to know if the dog was distressed, and I couldn't really tell. It was asleep, but not panting madly or anything, so I don't believe they attended.

I wasn't terribly happy about it. A couple of my stewards kept an eye on the dog and an appeal was made for the owner to return to the car several times.

tbh, my opinion of the RSPCA isn't that high.......
 
Yes was at Bramham and it wasn't a good place for dogs (I left my Border at home)
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. On friday there was an "incident" with a dog in a car explained over the Tannoy and on Saturday there were a couple of fairly big tangles and snaps! I saw on dog fitting up near the finish of the XC (I assume from the heat it was a fairly hefty spaniel)
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Having said that they really did look to be having fun in the water jump after the XC had finished.
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Personally I wouldn't take my dog let alone the 5-6 some people had, it was warm, crowded, plus I couldn't get in the member marque with him to buy my beer
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I don't think dogs should be banned from mainstream eventing (i.e one days, or lower attended 3 days such as 1&2*) afterall many dogs thoroughly enjoy the day out and the exercise and generally cause no problems at all. Personally I leave my two at home but that is only because they are pretty big and feisty and can't be trusted with other dogs or small children!!

However, my issue is with the big 3 days -burghley, badders etc where in my opinion there are just far too many people for the dogs to be fully comfortable - imagine being at knee level or below with a constant stream of feet to avoid?! Also, it is a long day for them to be dragged around a course, hang around for hours and then be dragged around the shops- esp when very hot or very wet and I don't think it is fair on them. They would be far better chilling out at home for the day IMO.

My other issue at these big events is, of course, the loose dogs. While it is probably mortifying for the owners involved it poses a far greater risk to the horses and riders and I think we are lucky that there hasn't been a serious accident at one of the 4* yet. Risk aside, the riders are competeing for big money, team selection etc and it is certainly not fair on them if their chances were blown because they had a refusal, fall, detour because of the dog. i.e poor rodney powell at badders -that was caused by a loose dog which the cameraman had to swerve to avoid!!
 
We take our dog to every Horse Trial we go to even when we jump judge. Basically we don't have anyone that can look after him while we are away.

For the last 6 years we have visited Blair trials and stayed in a caravan. The only option apart from taking him with us is to put him in kennels. We always have him in a harness and he has never been involved in an incident. It sometimes restricts what we can do while we are there eg one of us has to stand outside trade stands and hold the dog while the other browses/buys etc. (I seem to spend a lot of time doing that
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).

If people use common sense, plan ahead and pay attention there is no reason that a dog should be a problem. We watch the dog like we would a small child. Then again there are some people pay little attention to what their kids are doing.
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Hi I'm new to posting (even though I have been reading on this forum for ages)!
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I have taken my dogs to Badmington twice and to every BE/BJSA or any "horsey" event since I have had them. At the big events I always carry water for me and them and an old curry container that I put their water into.
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I also never go into the shopping areas on the big occasions as it would be no fun for them. I do consider myself a very responsible dog owner and would find it incredibly sad if I could no longer take my two out on horsey days.... They love these days out as do I... More often than not I go alone (boring friends)
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so my dogs, for me, are great company! I feel that anyone NOT looking after their dogs should be fined/asked to leave...... It's very unfair nowadays that the few spoit it for the majority.....
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My dog is a nightmare if left at home alone, she goes to my mum's when I'm at work or competing but I usually take her with me most places if I'm fence judging (she sits in the car with me) or watching. She's very well behaved and always on a lead and harness and I always make sure I have water, food and poo bags with me.

I've often thought that a doggy creche area at larger events, where owners can leave dogs in the care of responsible, qualified people for a few hours would be a good idea. If a charity like the Dogs Trust were to run one, and charge a small fee they could even make some money for the charity. It's better than owners not being able to shop, tired dogs being dragged around, dogs left in cars, or little demons escaping their leads on the XC. A good securely fenced area (even if they used that fencing they use around building sites) would not be difficult to sort out and surely if they can build temporary stables, kennels wouldn't be a problem to provide shelter from rain/sun.
 
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Many thanks again for all your opinions. Would any of you mind if I quoted some of your comments in my article (you'd remain anonymous)?

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Hi Freelance,
Feel free to quote me, most people have said the same as me anyway which I'm glad to see because I thought I would be slammed!, but it's something that I feel very strongly about. With all the doggy day care on offer It's totally unnecessary to drag a doggy around a big show.
 
I have taken my dog to all sorts of horse events and I would like to think I can continue to do so. She's always on the lead and well behaved and enjoys the day out as much as I do.

I can't stand badly behaved owners (it's usually the owner's fault) and feel sorry for their dogs. BUT I would still stand up for their freedom to attend. However, if any behaviour caused distress to the horses. i.e. off the lead bolting down the xc track then I believe an on the spot fine and asked to leave immediately is appropriate.

I pay at the entrance to many larger events and contribute to the economy of the event by buying food etc. and I would vote with my feet if I couldn't take the dog. I have stopped taking her to the Royal Highland as it's too big and agree with the people that say dogs get stood on etc. I'm talking about events such as Blair which (if the weather is ok!!!!) can be great fun.

I think dogs and horses go hand in hand (or is it paw in hoof) and people should be given the freedom to use their own discretion as to whether or not it is appropriate to combine the two.
 
I saw the 2 mastiff puppies at Bramham too, felt really sorry for them and a lot of others.

As we were walking from the cars a man with a backpack and 2 cavalier spaniels let one crap on the grass, and despite me making my feelings known, he ignored me and walked off without picking it up. This was at the start of the day at the entrance - no way had he run out of bags if he'd brought any.

Later outside the leather coats stand, a dog left a large crap, poeple weren't noticing it - despite the stench in the stand, and I saw one woman in sandals walk right through it, made me heave.

Personally, whilst most of the dogs and owners I saw were well behaved, this disgusting refusal to pick up after some dogs, and the danger of them getting loose (lets face it, it happens at pretty much every event) puts me firmly on the side of banning.
 
I said it on a thread around/after Badminton, if dogs was banned on outdoor horse shows/competitions I wouldn't be able to go. My dogs are not alone for more than 4 hours per day, including travel time there and back, how much time would I have at the show? I would just stay home instead.

At football matches there's people checking so only allowed things are brought into the arena, at the car park on outdoor events that I've been to there's people that checks so that I've paid, it would take extra time I know, but people could check so that visitors had proper leads on their dogs before letting them in.

Also at the horse shows I've been at, there has been numerous dogs around the riders transports and the stables, should they be allowed to continue to bring their dogs? Or maybe UK riders doesn't often owns both horses and dogs?




About people not picking up after their dogs, I will only say that I see crushed glass bottles and litter everywhere. I've picked up after my dogs for 19 years and I've still not managed to figure out why used chewing gums and other litter that takes years and years before it disappears the natural way (for glass I've heard it's about 1000 years) is so much better than dog poo? And how about those McDonald's and whatever packages that always gets so incredibly heavy once they're empty, that lies on the ground and attracts rats! Not to mention that cigarettes that haven't been put out properly before being thrown away can and have started outdoor fires.
I don't like that other dog owners doesn't pick up after their dogs but people don't complain half as much about other peoples litter as they complain about dog poo.


I'm all for taking action towards those that doesn't behave but I'm against punishing people who haven't done anything wrong.

Edited to Say: If you want to quote anything I've said Freelance, you're most welcome.
 
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