Dogs chasing my horse when I'm riding

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Nikki1204

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Has anyone else had a problem with this? I have been riding these same bridlepaths for about 15 years now and never been chased by a dog... But about 3 times in as many months I have had a dog barking and snapping at my horse! I am always on bridlepaths that are well kown to be used by horses and from nowhere a dog appears! My pony just stands and looks and is pretty calm really but my horse just throws a wobbly! When they are at his head he tries to spin and run the other way and when they are behind he tries to run off or dances on the spot whilst throwing in bucks towards the dog!
Has anyone got any suggestions of how I can calm my horse and get I used to dogs?
And where would you report these things happening as it is becoming a regular thing now!
 
At risk of causing an argument with pro off lead dog owners, I believe all dogs should either be on a leash when on bridleways, or at least be able to bring to heal at first call from owner.
If the dog owner can't get their dog back on first call, they shouldn't even think to let him/her off the lead and should take the dog to obedience classes.
I personally think all dogs should be kept on a lead in public, but that's my opinion, but to be fair on those responsible dog owners my first comment seems fairer.
I too have have had a dog chase my horse, teeth bared, snarling etc.. my horse went to run, but stopped, then spun round and stood his ground. Dog finally after several attempts from owner, went back.
 
I ride on Salisbury plain, and get chased by dogs on what seems like a very regular basis. For me, if a dog won't come back to you, keep the thing on a lead. I got chased by a two dogs the other day, the owner was completely oblivious, and was busy walking into the danger area. I am considering buying a hunting whip to crack at them if they come too close. Thankfully the other day my partner managed to chase them off. With dogs that are running towards me my attitude varies. If owner is trying to call them, I slow, and help them. If owner is making no effort, and the dog is small, I keep going, if it is big, and likely to bring me down if I hit it, I slow down. Sounds cruel, but I am getting sick of out of control dogs, and rude owners.
 
If the owners are around ask politely if they could call their dog away & explain why, some just don't realise. If the same owner continuously causes problems & ignores polite requests then either pretend to film them on your phone & threaten to involve police, or just ride horse at owner until they get the hint.
As for the horse, make sure you aren't trotting/ cantering past as its too much temptation for many dogs. Then if you are chased turn the horse to face the dog & chase it with the horse. Usually just walking purposefully towards one does the trick, chasing dogs are just playing mostly. But even a couple of aggressive dogs will back down from a horse charging them. With a dog that's just playful & friendly, shouting 'no! Bad dog! SIT!' is sometimes enough. To get the horse used to them, enlist the help of every well trained dog you know, take them to the yard, greet them on hacks etc till they become everyday objects. And make sure the horse is used to listening to you, no matter what she meets. When your horse prances, bucks etc it does incite the dogs to chase more. So remain calm & just turn her head on to them so she isn't acting or feeling like prey. And if you can, hack out with horses who aren't bothered by dogs.
 
I see your point shadeyoak re dogs being obedient before being off lead, & agree with that entirely. But saying your personal opinion is that all dogs should be on the lead in public is blinkered, un-natural for many dogs & incredibly selfish imo. Yes, I have met out of control dogs who shouldn't be off lead in public. But I've met far more idiot riders who shouldn't be off the leadrein in public, & horses without the basic training & control to be hacking. And even taking idiots out of the equation, good dogs & owners can have a bad day, or be a bit green same as a rider or horse. Sorry to rant but people wanting all dogs on leads in public gets my back right up. Some should be, but punishing all for the crimes of a few is ridiculous.
 
Shadeyoak said:
At risk of causing an argument with pro off lead dog owners, I believe all dogs should either be on a leash when on bridleways, or at least be able to bring to heal at first call from owner.
If the dog owner can't get their dog back on first call, they shouldn't even think to let him/her off the lead and should take the dog to obedience classes.
I personally think all dogs should be kept on a lead in public, but that's my opinion, but to be fair on those responsible dog owners my first comment seems fairer.
I too have have had a dog chase my horse, teeth bared, snarling etc.. my horse went to run, but stopped, then spun round and stood his ground. Dog finally after several attempts from owner, went back.
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obviously not a dog lover.... keeping a dog permanently on a lead causes enormous behavioural problems and is not to be encouraged.

Personally I prefer off lead but as soon as I see a horse my dogs are on lead and sit facing away from the horse/pony off the path so they can pass by in safety. My dogs are perfectly happy with horses but as they are unknown I see no reason why they should have to suffer my dogs staring at them. Most horse riders are sensible enough to wait whilst I put them all back on their leads.

The odd idiot riding with a dog running lose that is unsociable does bug me because they have little or no control over their dogs if a fight starts and have the added responsibility of the horse to care for so can't wade into sort out the mess :rolleyes: thankfully most are pretty good and just follow their owners.

OP is it possible someone new has moved into the area that owns a dog who gets out?? If there is it might be worth talking to the dog warden or popping a note through the door aiming more at the dogs safety and not wishing the owners to receive a large vet bill than your being upset with your horse being chased so it hits home. We had a problem a while ago where new neighbours moved in to one of our favorite walks and the dog was not secure in its own grounds and was attacking all dogs passing - sadly dog warden eventually stepped in as he also started attacking joggers.
 
Don't see where Shadeyoak says to keep dogs on a lead the whole time, just on bridleways. I agree, being the owner of a dog nervous horse and three very lively dogs, all of whom have excellent recall (mostly :rolleyes:)

If I spy a horse whilst out, the dogs are recalled and sat in plain view of the horse and rider. (Rustling round hidden in the bushes is not helpful!)

OP, is the owner in sight when the dog is chasing? Is it the same dog every time? Can you have a word with the owner? I have spoken to owners and just askedif they would mind holding the dog as the horse, despite having had dogs round him over the past four years, is still not good with them.
 
I am a dog lover and a dog owner and I also agree with Shadeyoak. Bridle path, clue is in the name, plus as no one likes to see GSDs charging around off-lead in public, whether they turn on a sixpence to come back to me...or not :p I keep mine on a lead. There are plenty of other places to run dogs and I'd rather people thought of me as 'the girl with the GSD on a lead and under control' than 'the girl with the Alsayshun that runs around everywhere' - because that is what they will see. It's a matter of courtesy, especially with some types of dog.

As others, growling and a dressage whip and getting after them always used to work for me.
 
If a dog comes after me, I wave my dressage whip around, shout things like, "Get!! Bad Dog!!" and charge it. They turn tail pretty quick with 1200lbs of Shire-X bearing down on them.
 
It has been different dogs so far and one owner wasn't even to be seen! The dog after a minute or so gave up and ran off.... I always wal or even stop and let owners get their dogs on leads before i walk past and take extra special precautions now. I believe they should be able to run free off the lead but if they do chase animals and have bad recall then they should not do this on a bridle path.
I do try calm him down. When i ride with other horses that aren't scared he just does his own thing and prances around as if he was by himself it makes no difference!! Good idea about turning him on the dog and moving towards it.... I'll try that next time! I have explained to the owners that i did see that one kick from my horse may kill the dog - especially with feet the size of his!!!!!
 
I'd get off and whack it one with a schooling whip (the dog not the horse!).

I took my pony to a very well known saddlery/large riding school and was pretty pissed off at a collie nipping her heels. Apparently it jumps and bites stabled horses on the nose too!! It would get a shock if it was mine that's all I can say.
 
Just to clarify I was responding to shadeyoaks comment that "I personally think all dogs should be kept on a lead in public". As said, I agree they shouldn't be off if you can't recall them. Mine doesn't even need to be called away from a horse or anything else as he wouldn't approach one. I do call him to heel out of courtesy so a rider doesn't worry about what he might do. But just because he happens to closely resemble a doberman I refuse to put him on a lead just because of other peoples ignorant predjudices.He's incredibly obedient so other peoples misconceptions are their own problem.
 
Shadeyoak said:
At risk of causing an argument with pro off lead dog owners, I believe all dogs should either be on a leash when on bridleways, or at least be able to bring to heal at first call from owner.
If the dog owner can't get their dog back on first call, they shouldn't even think to let him/her off the lead and should take the dog to obedience classes.
I personally think all dogs should be kept on a lead in public, but that's my opinion, but to be fair on those responsible dog owners my first comment seems fairer.
I too have have had a dog chase my horse, teeth bared, snarling etc.. my horse went to run, but stopped, then spun round and stood his ground. Dog finally after several attempts from owner, went back.
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^^^This!

The idea that Shadeyoak thought there was a risk of causing an argument with pro off-lead owners is very unfortunate. Keeping a dog on lead, especially on bridleways, is the act of a responsible dog owner. No matter how well we know our animals (dogs and horses), there's no accounting for the "he's never done that before" moment. Horses being flight animals, the possibility of injury to rider and mount can't be overstated. Dogs, as hunters, risk being kicked fatally as they move toward the horse. It's a no-brainer: why would any dog owner put his pet at risk when the use of the lead could be the difference between life and death?

I, too, think all dogs should be on lead in public places.
 
Seriously op the chasing them does work. My pony got severely savaged years ago & I did a lot of research on dealing with out of control dogs & curing a horses fear. Even if you watch a nature program on hungry hunting packs of wolves, they always run from a head on attack. They only have success in a group large enough to get round the back & underneath too, & not usually with a big healthy animal even then. So unless they've lost all survival instinct even a few big aggressive dogs will also run. Daughters pony hates dogs & even when only 8hh high saw off a pair of staffs & later a rottie amongst others in the field as they recognized her intent.
 
My horse has kicked 2 dogs before owner said nothing. I say my horse will kick your dog, if you don't secure it.

I also carry schooling whip when hacking
one to keep cars away
keep horseflies away
keep dogs away.


Owners totally irresponsible for letting dogs off lead if they upset horses.


Have known too many riders fall off and horse gallops off back to yard
 
Well I am a dog owner who never puts either of my dogs on a lead but I must agree that dogs that cannot respond to a recall should be kept on a lead at all times! My cob was very nervous of dogs when I first had him and I have left my dogs loose in the field with him and let them run around him, as he got used to them I have introduced friends dogs so that he gets used to all types and sizes of dog. He now doesn't even look at the dogs as they run around him and have even run through his legs, he doesn't react at all any more. Perhaps you could have dogs in the field with your horse so that he gets used to them moving around him.
 
I'd be wary of that method ^^. 20 geldings surrounded my dog in the field, I was very lucky to get I'm out of there because he's trained to stop as required. Even when I got hold of my horse, he tried to strike the dog. If the dog has the brain to flee, fine, if not, I'd be very wary of allowing the dogs to run amongst horses.
 
sorry to hijack but heres a question..... If a horse was to chase your horse and be kicked/trampled and was injured or killed, who would be liable?
 
elsazzo said:
sorry to hijack but heres a question..... If a horse was to chase your horse and be kicked/trampled and was injured or killed, who would be liable?
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You do mean if a DOG were to chase your horse, don't you?

If the dog owner had his dog on lead, out of the way of the horse, it wouldn't happen in the first place. To answer your question: the dog owner.
 
if a dog is off the lead you have no responsibility with regard to your horse injuring it-tough on the dog! all dogs should be on the lead in public places unless they have perfect recall -simple!
 
It happens quite a lot around my way. Dogs are very often kept loose in farmyards and gardens, with open gates. The sound and sight of a horse clip clopping up the road seems irresistible to most of them.

Very often they are not a problem though, they just amble a few yards up the road, trailing along behind us until they have safely escorted us off their patch!:D

However, there was one particular little JRT who was a nightmare, even hanging on to my saintly horse's tail on a couple of occasions! I dread to think how a younger and more easily spooked horse would have reacted. I had a word with the owner and asked if they had any objections to me trying to 'train' their terrorist out of it, as sooner or later it would get a kick in the head and be killed. So with their support I spent half a day going backwards and forwards past their driveway, shouting and instructing their little hoodlum to back off and stay.....when I used my deepest and roughest voice to bellow at her the dog almost expired with shock!:D

Job done...now she just peeks around the gatepost as we go past, and I call out and tell her what a very good little dog she is!;)
 
RutlandH2O said:
You do mean if a DOG were to chase your horse, don't you?

If the dog owner had his dog on lead, out of the way of the horse, it wouldn't happen in the first place. To answer your question: the dog owner.
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lol YES!! I meant of a dog chased your horse! :D:D

that would be a whole new thread.....;)
 
I wouldn't put loose dogs in the field either, even ones fine with them normally can behave differently when a dogs loose in the field. And its more likely to be the dog that comes off worse.
Rutland, as you believe dogs should be on a lead in public as all animals can be unpredictable, I assume you never hack? After all, your horse my have a 'never done that before moment' & bolt etc for no reason, harming yourself, drivers, walkers etc? An out of control horse does way more damage than the average dog. Or do you perhaps work on the same theory as myself, that you have calculated the chance of losing control & deemed it insignificant. I do agree dog owners should have control of their dogs. It would also stop people making judgemental remarks about responsible dog owners. But if all riders (quite rightly imo) want dog owners to control their dogs instinct to chase, they should equally be expected to control their horses instinct for flight.
 
To those who think dogs should be allowed off the lead.... Have you never seen the signs on footpath gates etc "dogs must be kept on leads".

I had a incident a few years ago whilst on holiday with my dog. He wouldn't say no to a fight with another dog if one came to close to him, so he was always on a short lead. On a public footpath, very early in the morning so hoped I didn't see anyone, alas I didn't. Big dog off lead, owner at least 400 yards behind. It came up to my dog, who fortunately ignored it. Think this was as it was new territory to him, if we had been at home other dog and owner would have been sorry!
 
littlelegs said:
I see your point shadeyoak re dogs being obedient before being off lead, & agree with that entirely. But saying your personal opinion is that all dogs should be on the lead in public is blinkered, un-natural for many dogs & incredibly selfish imo. Yes, I have met out of control dogs who shouldn't be off lead in public. But I've met far more idiot riders who shouldn't be off the leadrein in public, & horses without the basic training & control to be hacking. And even taking idiots out of the equation, good dogs & owners can have a bad day, or be a bit green same as a rider or horse. Sorry to rant but people wanting all dogs on leads in public gets my back right up. Some should be, but punishing all for the crimes of a few is ridiculous.
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agree!
 
It's not really complicated, if your dog is well behaved obedient comes to heel, then it can be off the lead, if it's pain in the arse to other's and their dogs and or horses etc then it needs to be on a lead, if your not happy with that get it trained, if you want an obedient type dog don't buy a breed noted for been thick as a brick.

Whilst riding along the river this morning, a Doberman off the lead and well in front of it's owners was coming towards us, no problem at all as it was well behaved and couldn't care less about us, they did have two Basset hounds on leads as they were more excitable, sensible owners, everyone happy.
 
littlelegs said:
I wouldn't put loose dogs in the field either, even ones fine with them normally can behave differently when a dogs loose in the field. And its more likely to be the dog that comes off worse.
Rutland, as you believe dogs should be on a lead in public as all animals can be unpredictable, I assume you never hack? After all, your horse my have a 'never done that before moment' & bolt etc for no reason, harming yourself, drivers, walkers etc? An out of control horse does way more damage than the average dog. Or do you perhaps work on the same theory as myself, that you have calculated the chance of losing control & deemed it insignificant. I do agree dog owners should have control of their dogs. It would also stop people making judgemental remarks about responsible dog owners. But if all riders (quite rightly imo) want dog owners to control their dogs instinct to chase, they should equally be expected to control their horses instinct for flight.
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No, I didn't say all dogs should be on lead in public as all animals can be unpredictable. I said all dogs on bridleways should be on lead because of the possibility of something untoward happening. There is a big difference between an out of control horse running amok, and a horse frightened enough to stand and lash out with a very damaging kick. I agree, an out of control horse will cause more damage than the average dog. But, if the dog instigates panic in the horse...(and I mean dogs barking, barring teeth, being aggressive toward the horse).

I no longer ride because of my very bad back. I live in a very rural part of England where horses and dogs are always passing each other on country lanes and bridle paths. There have been incidents where out of control dogs have caused nasty accidents. Those dogs have also chased other dogs/cats on private property and have worried sheep. The owner of one of the dogs is a horse owner/rider herself. Years ago, one of her dogs was shot by a farmer because one of her dogs tried to kill his geese. Her attitude regarding dogs off lead was the direct cause of her dog's death. I might add that her dogs were the softest, sweetest "people" dogs. I am very horsey and doggy. My dogs are never off lead in public. My JR is a dream and my GBGV is delicious, but, there are people who don't like or trust dogs. If I'm the one with the dog it is my responsibility to respect those around me. My dogs are a pleasure on lead, never forging ahead or lagging behind. They have plenty of opportunity to be off lead on my own property.
 
My old field bordered a bridleway, one day a dog walker was walking his dog and it ran into the field, and started chasing the horses, they turned on him and started chasing him. The ruckus the dog owner caused, telling me there would be hell to pay if my horses injured his dog was highly entertaining. I pointed out his dog was on private property, and was none to polite about it. There are parts of the uk where dogs are not allowed of the lead in public due to the bylaws, devizes locally to me I hear.
Of course moving on, the dangerous dogs act applies to ALL dogs in public, something which I have pointed out to a few owners, who seem quite happy to have there dogs chasing horses. Why is it always the few who ruin it?
 
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