Dogs causing Problems.

[Feival]

On the route we hack, there are 4 large mastiff dogs in a house, they are kept outside behind a gate and railings, however they charge at the fence when anyone passes. Last week I was hacking with my friend on her big cob who is worked about dogs after being attacked in the past. These dogs charged at the fence and spooked both the horses, The cob spun and slipped falling on the road. The owner of the dogs was outside with them at the time and made no effort to call them away or check that we where ok. Luckily the big cob was u hurt. But we or someone else might not be so lucky next time.

 

[Red-1]

I am happy as long as the dogs stay behind their fence. If they escape and chase me down the road, or bite, then that is not acceptable.

Not that I LIKE dogs barking at me and my horse, but as long as they are behind the fence I see it as my issue to solve.

Maybe the place could be approached in-hand next time, and time spent acclimatising the horse, without asking him to actually pass?

I bet it would upset the dog owner with all that barking, but TBH that would then be THEIR issue, as I would be legally using the public Highway.

If it was a near neighbour, and I thought they may be receptive I may ask them to help me, as in be with the dogs for a time or two, but do not see that as any obligation on their behalf.


ETA- OH has just pointed out, our little dog has taken exception to the new horse, and I have told him that him shouting at the dog "Be Quiet" etc is actually more worrisome to the horse than the dog barking in the first place.

 

[Goldenstar]

You just have to get the horse used to it .
We have to pass a builders yard they had outside kept GSD's they would run along the fence then up onto a bank so they where at horses eye level barking and snarling the horses got used to it .
We never passed when cars where approaching just in case .

 

[AmyMay]

Dogs are kept securely in their garden. So I guess you'll have to avoid the route or do it every day to get the horses used to them.

Or, cross to the other side of the road before you get to the garden to give you more space.

 

[Feival]

The fact that she witnessed the accident and didn't even ask if we where ok, nor try to control her bloody dogs is what has made us unhappy, her house is on a blind bend and it Will cause a more serious accident, we pass two other sets of dogs which bark but when we call out hello to them they stop, These 4 could easily escape. My 2 are not worried by dogs but always get upset by these, A 17hh drum cob falling almost underneath me was terrifying and lots of work had been done to help him not fear dogs, but this has set him back. Unfortunately it's unavoidable to pass them 😩

 

[YorksG]

The fact that she witnessed the accident and didn't even ask if we where ok, nor try to control her bloody dogs is what has made us unhappy, her house is on a blind bend and it Will cause a more serious accident, we pass two other sets of dogs which bark but when we call out hello to them they stop, These 4 could easily escape. My 2 are not worried by dogs but always get upset by these, A 17hh drum cob falling almost underneath me was terrifying and lots of work had been done to help him not fear dogs, but this has set him back. Unfortunately it's unavoidable to pass them ��

The fact that YOU think they could easily escape is irrelevant, they didn't get out. While the owner was a bit off to not check that all were ok, she may well have thought that to ask may have implied responsibility. Amymay has the best suggestions of getting the horses beyond this.
One property we pass has a garden well below the road level and the older Appy hates the dog running about and barking below her, we just have to take care when we pass, make sure there is no traffic and usually that her hacking partner blocks our side of the road in case a car turns up.

 

[GeorgiaR95]

The fact that she witnessed the accident and didn't even ask if we where ok, nor try to control her bloody dogs is what has made us unhappy, her house is on a blind bend and it Will cause a more serious accident, we pass two other sets of dogs which bark but when we call out hello to them they stop, These 4 could easily escape. My 2 are not worried by dogs but always get upset by these, A 17hh drum cob falling almost underneath me was terrifying and lots of work had been done to help him not fear dogs, but this has set him back. Unfortunately it's unavoidable to pass them ��

Your probably best dismounting and leading the horse past the dogs, I had a terrible accident on my horse and since she has been petrified of tractors. To avoid disruption on the roads and to keep the horse calmer i dismount and just stand with her while the tractor passes. Sometimes she tries to flee but is improving everytime with encouragement and a lot of stroking and patting telling her it will be okay. Traffic are usually very understanding and wait until the tractor passes us. I get back on and she is fine. Obviously you cant stand but leading the horse past will get their confidence back. Persistence is the key in this situation. Hope it helps!

 

[shadowboy]

The thing is, nothing these people have done is breaking the law. I presume they own the land and the dogs reside inside that land. I'm not really sure what you can do here? You can hardly ask the owner to keep the dogs inside in case a horse hacks past? I think some dog training needs to be done or crossing to the other side of the road with the most 'sane' horse in the middle of the road to earn any traffic, each time slowly getting closer to the dogs. There are lots of scary things we as riders have to risk- my horse hates hedge strimmers because he can hear the person making load noises but can't see them- I've learned to leg yield him past them. He's fine with barking dogs etc- we frequently have a German shepherd that charges up and down into the fence barking at us. He's fine with this and even if he wasn't there isn't much I can do? If crossing to the other side of the road isn't an option I would dismount and keep my body between horse and dogs

 

[FlyingCircus]

I don't suppose there's much you can do if they're in their own garden...

 

[OWLIE185]

There is definitely something you can do as the dogs are causing a nuisance. Please contact your local authority and ask the to use the 'Environmental Protection Act 1990' (as amended) to compel the owners of the property to keep the dogs well away from the boundary of their property. This is a useful piece of legislation which has been used on a number of occasions were dogs on a properties boundary have proved to be a nuisance or danger to people passing by.

 

[Goldenstar]

There is definitely something you can do as the dogs are causing a nuisance. Please contact your local authority and ask the to use the 'Environmental Protection Act 1990' (as amended) to compel the owners of the property to keep the dogs well away from the boundary of their property. This is a useful piece of legislation which has been used on a number of occasions were dogs on a properties boundary have proved to be a nuisance or danger to people passing by.

This is one of the reason riders are disliked by many people rather than advise OP to train the horse set the authorities on the owners of the dogs .
The horse slipped when being a prat it needs training or it be the same issue at something else .
One day some one will decide it will all together safer easier and cheaper if horses aren't out and about in public then we all will be in a mess .

 

[FlyingCircus]

This is one of the reason riders are disliked by many people rather than advise OP to train the horse set the authorities on the owners of the dogs .
The horse slipped when being a prat it needs training or it be the same issue at something else .
One day some one will decide it will all together safer easier and cheaper if horses aren't out and about in public then we all will be in a mess .

Quite. It's alarming when things suddenly spook your horse, but you KNOW the dogs live there. You can prepare for how you're going to pass them.
Totally unfair, I feel, to expect the dog owners to keep the dogs away from the boundary of their property. They were in the garden at the time, so would have been nice of them to call the dogs back...but lets face it they may not be in the garden in the future or see what is happening. It's up to the riders to make sure their horses are prepared to deal with what happens.

BTW, I wouldn't be hacking a horse that couldn't handle being around loud/excitable dogs. There's plenty of training you can do at home to resolve this before going out and causing a danger to you, your horse, the dog(s) and public.

 

[eggs]

I'm also in the camp that thinks the rider needed to be more proactive knowing that the dogs were likely to be loose in the garden and that their horse would probably have an issue with it. Dismount and lead past or if it is safe cross to the other side of the road to get past the house.

We pass plenty of places where dogs run up barking at the fence - our horses all go past without any problem.

 

[GeorgiaR95]

There is definitely something you can do as the dogs are causing a nuisance. Please contact your local authority and ask the to use the 'Environmental Protection Act 1990' (as amended) to compel the owners of the property to keep the dogs well away from the boundary of their property. This is a useful piece of legislation which has been used on a number of occasions were dogs on a properties boundary have proved to be a nuisance or danger to people passing by.

The owners do not have to keep dogs away from the edge of their perimeter it is their property and they can do with it what they wish. As long as the dogs are not getting out then they can't be classed as a danger to people passing by. The horse just needs to be lead past them if he is too afraid to walk past. Persistence is the key to getting the horse better in these situations, and upsetting people by threatening them with local authority will not end well with the rider the next time they pass this house.

 

[laura_nash]

There is definitely something you can do as the dogs are causing a nuisance. Please contact your local authority and ask the to use the 'Environmental Protection Act 1990' (as amended) to compel the owners of the property to keep the dogs well away from the boundary of their property. This is a useful piece of legislation which has been used on a number of occasions were dogs on a properties boundary have proved to be a nuisance or danger to people passing by.

This may be possible, but is it really advisable? Personally I avoid p**ing off people I have to regularly hack past, and I may be stereotyping here but people with 4 large mastiff's who don't bother to check on someone who falls off in front of them would be the last people I would want to tangle with. Very easy to "accidentally" spook a passing horse, its even been demonstrated in front of them.

I would also be uncomfortable hacking out a horse that might react so strongly to something as common as barking dogs, so I would want to be doing some training work on the issue anyway. But then loose dogs running out into the road barking is the norm around here.

 

[lindsay1993]

We pass a lurcher type who always runs at us, barking like mad. The owner does his best to stop the dog running near us and always succeeds. The dog is a happy excitable little thing and clearly loses the plot with two big hairy noisy giant things walking past his house. It doesn't mean any harm and I think it's goof education for the horses. One I ride is terrified of anything and everything and now I prepare for the fact the dog will likely be there and act accordingly. I would dismount and lead past if horse was totally silly. I own a dog who comes across as a bit of a thug when in our garden behind the fence. He will go wild at anyone or anything that goes past. I can hear him right now going mad at someone. I do pull him in if I see a horse approaching, he's fine loose with horses it's just the confinement of the garden that sends him mad.

 

[dibbin]

I am happy as long as the dogs stay behind their fence. If they escape and chase me down the road, or bite, then that is not acceptable.

Not that I LIKE dogs barking at me and my horse, but as long as they are behind the fence I see it as my issue to solve.

Maybe the place could be approached in-hand next time, and time spent acclimatising the horse, without asking him to actually pass?

I bet it would upset the dog owner with all that barking, but TBH that would then be THEIR issue, as I would be legally using the public Highway.

If it was a near neighbour, and I thought they may be receptive I may ask them to help me, as in be with the dogs for a time or two, but do not see that as any obligation on their behalf.


ETA- OH has just pointed out, our little dog has taken exception to the new horse, and I have told him that him shouting at the dog "Be Quiet" etc is actually more worrisome to the horse than the dog barking in the first place.

I'd agree with this. Our former YO kept 2 very big GSDs in a kennel & run right outside the barn. The whole time that we were there (3 and a half years with both horses), they barked and growled and jumped up at their fence every time a horse passed by. When Jazz first arrived he was scared witless if he had to go near them. Last week we were out hacking, a dog ran up to us and was running round the horses barking. Neither of them batted an eyelid.

Look at it as an excellent de-spooking opportunity, just take things slowly and let the horses get used to it. They'll learn fairly quickly that the dogs can't actually get at them and won't hurt them

 

[Cinnamontoast]

The owner doesn't have to 'control her bloody dogs', they are behind fencing, secured and under control. Get the horse used to them, it may take time, but is an excellent training opportunity. Mine used to be terrified of dogs but constant exposure now allows me to pass dogs safely. You can ask the owner, but I'd be frankly peed off, as a dog and horse owner, to be asked to control my dogs whilst they were on their own territory.

 

[Annagain]

I agree that while the dogs are a nuisance to this horse, they're not really a nuisance per se. Horses come across all sorts of things out hacking and we have a responsibility to ensure they are equipped to deal with these things or to mitigate the circumstances as far as possible for the safety of everybody involved.

A horse on our yard was very frightened of dogs and we have two houses we have to go past on one particular route where the dogs would be at the gate barking. We trained him to cope with it by only going on that route with at least 4 of us, waiting for the road to be clear and boxing him in as we went past and chatting very loudly and happily to him. We started with one horse in front and one either side of him and we gradually got down to one in front, one on the dogs' side and one behind, then one on the dogs' side, then one in front and one on the other side and on from there. As soon as he saw the others weren't bothered he realised it was ok. Now he'll happily lead the ride past them without flinching. We still stop and make sure there's no traffic coming as we go past though just in case.

 

[Landcruiser]

We regularly pass an open gateway. 2 large rotty type dogs invariably come charging towards it barking as we approach. They stop at an invisible boundary - presumably wearing some sort of electric shock collar. The first time it happened my horse shot to the other side of the lane (which was luckily free of traffic at the time.) I had to change my pants when I got home! On subsequent occasions we rode past the spooking got less and now he doesn't even look at the 2 slavering dogs just feet away with NOTHING between us and them. It CAN be done if handled correctly.

 

[Luci07]

Good tips on the despooking!

I need to apply this to myself. Big Ears is one of the best horses in bad traffic at our yard. His rider jumping out of her skin when a dog ran at us through the bushes was not helpful!. Yard now shares "dog" information for spooky riders...

 

[smja]

The dogs are under control - running and barking are natural activities. If someone's horses charged up to a fence you were hacking past and ran alongside you, upsetting your horse, would you be angry with the owner?

Desensitising work for the horse. With other dogs at first, then at this house with a solid babysitter horse upsides. If it's on a dangerous bend, I'd be asking someone to come with on bike/in car/on good horse to warn traffic either side.

 

[Dry Rot]

Well, as the owner of four bloody big noisey GSDs I agree with both sides! The owner should not allow the dogs to race along the fence barking and snarling even inside their own property. If it isn't a horse that is spooked, it could be a vulnerable person for which read someone who is nervous of dogs, frail, or a child. Maybe there will be a day when the fence is broken or down. Are the dogs still going to be safe?

BUT I also think horse owners should be aware of such hazards and train their horses for them too.

Having said all this, my own dogs are in runs that are NOT up beside the public highway and there is no chance they will upset anyone except an intruder. What is quite amusing is that some of the younger ponies definitely deliberately wind the dogs up and both obviously enjoy it. It is a game on both sides. The dogs are regularly out and about with me in the fields where there are ponies and they all get along quite well together.

We all have a duty to respect the rights of others and sometimes folk need a quiet word just to remind them of that. Maybe speak to the dog warden? They usually have tact, will know the law, and can pass on the complaint anonymously without even mentioning 'horses'.

 

[Goldenstar]

Running about on a secure property barking the dogs are only exercising the freedom to indulge in a normal behaviour .
How a frail person could damaged by this is beyond me , however innocent people can be damaged by badly trained out of control horses out in public.

 

[Merlod]

My horse isn't scared of barking dogs, but he does get startled of the "sudden ambush" the yard opposite my yard has some total PITA dogs that lurk in the bush and wait to go beserk until you are right on top of them, I know the lady and the dogs and they would never bite or chase they just "protect" their property. At least you have the advantage of your horse being able to see the dogs and knowing they are there! I went on a ride on the weekend and there was a collie tethered (unsupervised) in an open front garden.. went mental when I rode past - even when I was out of sight, the thought of it getting loose was quite worrying but I like to go a bit further than desensitising to dogs, I like my horses to know that dogs are scared of them I feel it gives them extra confidence and really helps if you do get chased to turn your horse and face the dog or even advance on it to frighten it off and if that didn’t work I’d be hopeful my horse would send it flying or get a good stomp in (can’t allow dogs in my field for that very reason).

 

[Fjord]

We regularly pass an open gateway. 2 large rotty type dogs invariably come charging towards it barking as we approach. They stop at an invisible boundary - presumably wearing some sort of electric shock collar. The first time it happened my horse shot to the other side of the lane (which was luckily free of traffic at the time.) I had to change my pants when I got home! On subsequent occasions we rode past the spooking got less and now he doesn't even look at the 2 slavering dogs just feet away with NOTHING between us and them. It CAN be done if handled correctly.

Bl00dy h3ll that must have been scary!

 

[Stockers]

I regularly pass a house with two loud and rather alrming-looking, wooly sheep dogs (Pyranese?) Who charge up the feance/gate 'ouf-oufing' with a loud, deep, bark.

They then charge the fence line - at which point they are invisible. the horses don;t like it, but we know they're there and just deal with it - trotting past with purpose seems to do the trick. they are getting used to it now.

The donkeys in the field next door on the other hand are a total menace.

Just another life-hazzard we need to oversome. If I couldn't overcome I wouldn;t ride pas the house. Same way I can;t ride one route due to buses - Bob is petrified of them.

 

[willhegofirst]

We have a similar problem with the next yard up from ours, so yes they also have horses, the dogs a Great Dane, a lab and a rottie, jump at the gates and gaps in the hedges, the road is single track used by very large tractors. As said before it's the sudden aggressive approach of the dogs that the horses can't see properly that is the problem. Oh and yes they have been asked to keep the dogs back, and they always shut the dogs away when they are riding.

 

[pennyturner]

I'm constantly on the lookout for training opportunities for the ponies, as we've got to the point where there's very little that gets a reaction, including playing football with the mastiff whilst they graze on the pitch! One of the final hurdles for us was a Romany gypsy camp close by which has horse-drawn wagons and dogs on both sides of the lane, with all the usual accompaniments. Their dogs (chained) really mean business, and are noisy about it. No horse will go past at first, but it's only a matter of time and familiarity.

Use these big barkers to thoroughly dog-proof your horse OP. It might save you (or him) some day.
Personally I would take that route deliberately, carrying a big bag of carrots; stop and feed him the lot right by the dogs - take your time, like it's as good a place as any. Repeat until he has forgotten the dogs are there. With luck the dogs will get used to the horse too. Try giving them a carrot - my mastiff will do anything for a carrot!

 

[happyclappy]

In a word "tough". They are doing nothing wrong an it is up to you if you pss or go another way. Personally I would attempt to get your horses used to them, and it will also help when encountering other barking dogs.
It is not nice, and I dislike constantly barking dogs.