Dogs on Bridlepaths

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MissMincePie&Brandy

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I fell off this morning, due to being chased by a mental half staffy, half boxer type dog that was running loose, and who went out of control when he saw my horse. We were on a public bridle path. Nearly everyone at our yard has a story to tell about being chased by dogs on bridlepaths :( It's not good.

My horse is very used to dogs, as there are plenty of dogs on the yard, but this dog behaved in an aggressive manor (well, my horse thought so!) and it was madly chasing us and circling me and my horse. My horse went up, bucked out to kick it, then lunged up again and he twisted sideways and I came out the side door! He's 17.2hh so these are BIG movements!

The dog ran off when I fell, and my horse stood and I was able to catch him. I saw the owner and had SERIOUS words with her, about this being a public bridlepath and it's her responsiblity to keep her dog under control, or on a lead. I don't think she'll be returning!

If a dog is loose on a public footpath, fair enough. On a Bridlepath however, if it's not 100% safe and calm around horses then it should be on a lead, in the same way the dog would be on a lead if it was being walked along a road? Don't you think ??? I also hate the excuse owners use when you have just been chased by their dog 'oh we didn't see you in time to put so so on the lead'.

I'd had a lovely 2 hour, all terrain ride this morning, bit or roadwork, then into fields, through a stream and back through the woods, and then this happened in the woods. I'm a bit achey (luckily was a soft landing!), but I'm fine and my horse is fine. I climbed back onto him by using a gate, and I rode back without incident.

Where we live, there are many, many public footpath routes, but only two off road circular bridlepath routes. We riders have much less choice than the dog walkers!

I wish there was some kind of law put into place where dog owners who use bridlepaths have to have them on leads unless they are well behaved enough to stay walking to heel with their owner??
 
why should a dog be allowed off the lead on a footpath???

They should be under control at all times when in public - to me this means a lead at all times.
 
Dogs should be under control whether on a footpath or bridleway. As a hiker I don't want to have to face a seemingly aggressive dog just as much as you don't on your horse. In fact I'd rather not face the ones that "just want to play" either as that invariably involves planting their muddy paws on my clean jacket!

If you can't recall your dog reliably (or get it to lie/sit from a distance) then don't let it off the lead in places where you are likely to meet walkers/riders/playing children.
 
wench said:
why should a dog be allowed off the lead on a footpath???

They should be under control at all times when in public - to me this means a lead at all times.
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I hope you never have to watch a dog working - they are off the lead sometimes you know **faints in horror at the very thought**

Of course dogs should be under control at all times, but that has nothing to do with being on a lead - my dog was attacked not long ago by two dogs which were on leads but totally out of control!
 
I'm afraid to me being on a lead whilst out walking your dog is of utmost importance - they shouldnt be allowed off.
 
wench said:
I'm afraid to me being on a lead whilst out walking your dog is of utmost importance - they shouldnt be allowed off.
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Good job you have absolutely no influence whatsoever then.

Many people would argue horses should only ever be ridden on private land and should neither be on the roads or even bridlepaths. Do you agree with them?
 
Really sorry to hear about your hack, sounds like a nightmare! At least you saw the owner and had words with her so hopefully she won't be doing it again.

Dogs should be under control at all times which for me means either on the lead, or off lead but within sight and with a good recall.
 
Katt said:
If you can't recall your dog reliably (or get it to lie/sit from a distance) then don't let it off the lead in places where you are likely to meet walkers/riders/playing children.
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This. I have a very friendly, totally non-aggressive dog but would be mortified if she approached someone who was scared of dogs or got muddy feet on someone, never mind chased a horse - and for this reason (as well as her breed being renowned for poor recall) she's kept on a lead in public spaces. This may take the form of a long line, in which case I call her to heel in order to pass people and horses.

I don't know, maybe as a horse owner I'm just more aware of this as an issue than other dog owners? As with dog fouling, though, it's the small minority creating a problem for the rest of us. :mad:
 
Misinterpreted said:
I wish there was some kind of law put into place where dog owners who use bridlepaths have to have them on leads unless they are well behaved enough to stay walking to heel with their owner??
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I was wondering what the law was last weekend as I approached a corner on a bridleway on my horse and heard barking dogs. Suddenly a German Shepherd and 3 Collies appeared from around the corner running towards us barking. My horse spun round and set off to bolt but I stopped him by holding him at 90 degrees across the path (trees on both sides). As they got closer he reared and as soon as he landed I jumped off to be between him and the dogs. I shouted something like 'get away' as loud as I could and they stopped in their tracks, turned round and ran back. I then heard the owner calling the dogs so I tried to go along the path to have a word but my horse was reluctant to go. By the time I got round the corner there was no sight of any of them. I settled my horse and got back on but he was then spooked by the noise they were making in the woods to one side as they tried to get around (and probably avoid talking to me).

These dogs must have been fairly well trained because they returned to the owner when she called so I think they should be on a lead at all times on a bridleway. They should be taken somewhere else if they want to run free.
 
Misinterpreted said:
I wish there was some kind of law put into place where dog owners who use bridlepaths have to have them on leads unless they are well behaved enough to stay walking to heel with their owner??
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There are laws in place, it's just that people ignore them or think the countryside is one big dog toilet/playground for their beloved pooch. These laws apply to all public rights of way, be it a footpath, bridleway or road. Dogs should be under close control according to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

You might want to report the incident to the BHS, as they're trying to collect data on exactly this problem, as it's grown hugely in recent years. You have my utmost sympathy. If I had even a penny for every idiot with a dog who either crossed my field or met me out hacking, I wouldn't be working. I'd be a millionaire.

BTW, I'm not anti-dog. I meet plenty of well behaved ones off the lead and don't mind that!
 
blackcob said:
This. I have a very friendly, totally non-aggressive dog but would be mortified if she approached someone who was scared of dogs or got muddy feet on someone, never mind chased a horse - and for this reason (as well as her breed being renowned for poor recall) she's kept on a lead in public spaces. This may take the form of a long line, in which case I call her to heel in order to pass people and horses.

I don't know, maybe as a horse owner I'm just more aware of this as an issue than other dog owners? As with dog fouling, though, it's the small minority creating a problem for the rest of us. :mad:
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A family friend of ours inherited an ancient border collie when I was a teenager and we used to dog sit it for them. Until she came to them at age 16, she had never been walked on a lead, but they felt that in the suburban location they were in they should use a lead just in case. She walked to heel at all times though, would not go for a run unless told and would do "sit" "down" and "stay" from a whole field away. She wouldn't have dreamed of jumping up or barking. She wasn't a working dog.

So I have no problem with well behaved dogs being off their leads, as long as they will recall and/or sit when told.

Taking them out on a long line is a great compromise.
 
Oh gosh, I didn't realise this would cause so much controversy!

Yes I agree dogs should ALWAYs be under control when out in any public space, but as long as there are no livestock about, I can't see why well behaved dogs can't have a little run off lead and a play on a public footpath. Most human beings who will be sharing the public Footpath wont be concerned if they see a dog trotting along off lead.

However on a bridlepath a dog who is not used to horses will often suddenly act differently when it see's a horse, and in many cases suddenly ignore its owner. Most horses still have their primal instincts well and truly intact, and even horses who are used to dogs (like mine) will see a strange dog who is running towards them and barking as a predator. The horse cannot reason the same way as a human can.

That is why I think all dogs on Bridlepaths, but not necessarily Footpaths should stay on leads.
 
Firstly, sorry to hear about your morning OP. How horrible.

I totally agree that when on bridle paths dog's should be kept on leads (or under very good control) as it's just unfair and dangerous otherwise. I mean silly, silly accidents can happen such as you falling off and landing on a rock or fence or something when someone could not handle their dog, which was spooking a horse.



I do not however agree that dog's should be kept on leads in footpaths. I walk my dog all over the place and would hate to have to keep her on her lead! However, I know my dog and I know she is nervous around other dog's (rescue) and get's very worried when they come charging over and will fight with them, so I ALWAYS put her on her lead around people, horses and other dog's. Simple. No bid deal, no trouble caused.

It's about having a bit of common sense and respect for others, which sadly seems to be in such low regard these days.

x
 
hope you are feeling ok and not too sore.

i totally agree that any dog in public needs to be under control- however i walk my dog off the lead on a bridleway as he has an instant recall regardless of what comes around the corner.
 
Fransurrey said:
There are laws in place, it's just that people ignore them or think the countryside is one big dog toilet/playground for their beloved pooch. These laws apply to all public rights of way, be it a footpath, bridleway or road. Dogs should be under close control according to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

BTW, I'm not anti-dog. I meet plenty of well behaved ones off the lead and don't mind that!
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We have a permissive path near us where dogs are not allowed, yet ever summer we seem to have a rash of people ignoring signs to walk their dogs along a path used by small children on lead rein and RDA riders. Objections are usually met with abuse and the landlord has been sworn at as well. Last year, my four yeard old was attacked by an irish red setter that came after use when we were walking AWAY from it, on foot. I love dogs, but this attitude that some owners have that their animal is an adorable baby substitute, just seems to be getting worse. Like the 50+ plus woman whose excitable labrador was jumping up on children on shetlands last summer who said, "Oh for goodness sake, he's only playing," when their parents objected. Dogs are predators and idiotic owners are making them a real problem for other country side users. And yes, I think dogs should be on a lead or long line in public, you can never say never. Most public parks have areas where dogs can be let off the lead, there are places they can run loose without causing a problem to anyone else. And as for perfect recall, it doesn't work if you havelet your animals run so far ahead of you they are barely in earshot!
 
Where I ride is a horse route not a bridleway so is used by bikes & dogwalkers, I've got to know the people who walk their dogs there regurlarly so know if its ok to approach if its in front of us, If I see someone up ahead a stop and wait for them to put it on the lead, or I say my horse is ok if you pass or I pass you if your dog is ok, what I hate is on a bank hol or a sunday afternoon you get non regulars who don't have clue, they let their dogs run up behind you etc, I'm lucky my horse is pretty good, I also hate it when bikes come up behind you, if the would only speak, hello can I pass something like that, and these eeeegits who think they are on a downhill competition or something, you can hear their brakes sqeeking and them skidding because they've come too fast, its that that frightens my horse worse than anything.

AND if you're riding your horse or bike don't wear flippin ipod's, how can you hear if there's danger for gods sake

By the way, I have a springer who I have on a retractable lead, she is let off when it is safe and not on a horse route/bridleway. I don't know if she'd be ok, she recalls but you never know
 
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amymay said:
I'm amazed at the amount of horses that seem to have a problem with dogs :(
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My horse doesnt have a problem with well behaved dogs just like i dont have a problem with well behaved dogs however i do have a problem with dogs trying to attack me or being aggresive
 
indiat said:
Most public parks have areas where dogs can be let off the lead, there are places they can run loose without causing a problem to anyone else. And as for perfect recall, it doesn't work if you havelet your animals run so far ahead of you they are barely in earshot!
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I've genuinely never visited such a park. In any case I never take my dog to parks, we go walking in the countryside. We have never caused a problem to a rider, and meet many on our travels. When we meet horses he goes on the lead, and when we meet walkers without off-lead dogs I call him to heel. I would never consider keeping him permanently on a lead - I would consider this cruel as it would prevent him from expressing normal behaviour - a requirement under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
 
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Forgot to say, we had a problem with 2 husky's one day, they chased us down this path, the owners had no control, they eventually got the one that was causing the problem, going to bite the heels of my horse, they walked in the other direction to us, then minutes later they only let it off the lead again ! it was quite a bit away from them so my friend chased it back to the owner and said we'd call the police if it came at us again, although they won't do anything.

Another man with a jack russel, it was barking and going to bite my horses heels so I said can you call your dog, he said oh well hurry up then, I said well if you don't it might end up on the moon the choice is yours
 
amymay said:
I'm amazed at the amount of horses that seem to have a problem with dogs :(
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My horse doesn't have a problem with dogs in normal circumstances. On our yard there are several different breeds of dogs, from small ones to large ones, and all the horses are well use to them. My dog and my horse occasionally even drink water from the same bucket together. When I'm schooling my dog will often stand watching me, so my horse is fine with nice dogs.

This dog on the hack, behaved in an aggressive manor towards us. My horse's primal instincts kicked in through fear and he panicked and I was unable to stay on. I don't know many other horses, who would have tolerated that.



I have done an incident report to the BHS thanks!
 
This is my biggest bugbear, I love dogs, have one myself and my horse is 100% with dogs but after being chased, snarled at etc by dogs that arent used to horses, owners freaking out making the situation worse I think that if a dog is known to the owner to be agressive then either keep it on a lead or let it loose with a muzzle on when on the bridleways, then neither horse or dog could get injured. I hate riding on our lovely bridleways for fear of meeting an agressive dog!
 
Please report this to the BHS, they are keeping a list of such incidents. The fact that you fell off is important, because had your horse got loose and then been chased by the dog there could well have been an awful incident.

A child's pony was attacked and injured by a loose dog recently in our area.
 
There will always be a minority who give the majority a bad name. Like the riders two abreast on a country lane, chatting away, completely unaware there is a car behind them or the silent cyclist whizzing passed a horse and rider or the motorbikes speeding up and down a byway or the dog walker who allows his dog to explore my front garden and **** in it. Thats life.
 
Lakelandcross said:
I was wondering what the law was last weekend as I approached a corner on a bridleway on my horse and heard barking dogs. Suddenly a German Shepherd and 3 Collies appeared from around the corner running towards us barking. My horse spun round and set off to bolt but I stopped him by holding him at 90 degrees across the path (trees on both sides). As they got closer he reared and as soon as he landed I jumped off to be between him and the dogs. I shouted something like 'get away' as loud as I could and they stopped in their tracks, turned round and ran back. I then heard the owner calling the dogs so I tried to go along the path to have a word but my horse was reluctant to go. By the time I got round the corner there was no sight of any of them. I settled my horse and got back on but he was then spooked by the noise they were making in the woods to one side as they tried to get around (and probably avoid talking to me).

These dogs must have been fairly well trained because they returned to the owner when she called so I think they should be on a lead at all times on a bridleway. They should be taken somewhere else if they want to run free.
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I would say this is a typical and common type of 'bridlepath related dog incident’ People using bridlepaths but allowing their dogs to run out of sight. Then when they run into a horse, the horse will spook badly like this.
In my case, when the dog ran into my horse it didn't run back, it ran round and round my horse madly. :(
 
I shouted something like 'get away' as loud as I could and they stopped in their tracks,
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Why shout? Why not just talk to them? You're calmer because you're not shouting - and so therefore is your horse.............
 
I only ever let my dog off his lead when I am on the long straight off the bridlepath near us and he always goes back on well before the corner, I know if he sees something more interesting he'll get excited and have selective hearing.

He only does this with me though with my OH he's an angel, comes back everytime, it's just a case off using common sense and knowing your dog.
 
I have been chased by a loose dog whilst riding.It's not fun.

I've also had a puppy attacked by a loose dog.
it amazes me how many so called good dog owners think the law doesn't apply to them. How many dogs wear a collar and ID tag? Did you know the law states that your dog must wear these in public? 'Public' defines anywhere away from private property. On the street, park, footpath, bridleway. And even out in the countryside.

Some councils have their own rules, so best to check with yours, as some state dogs must be kept on leads at all times in public.

Mine has excellent recall but was distracted yesterday by a small child with a ball. Okay, she only went up and watched the child, but it worried me enough to be extra vigilant in future.
 
NOISYGIRL said:
Forgot to say, we had a problem with 2 husky's one day
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Huskies, as a breed, should never be off-lead anywhere where they might encounter livestock - as you saw, it is nigh on impossible to fully control one off-lead. Completely irresponsible of the owners. If it's any consolation, if they continue to do it that husky will end up shot or under the wheels of a car one day. :rolleyes:

I don't usually generalise/stereotype with regards to dog breeds but huskies are in a league of their own! Like I say, mine can't be fully trusted and is thus walked on a long line in public.

I wonder if US-style dog parks would be a solution in some areas? I'd certainly make use of a securely fenced area just for dogs, as I do with my spare horse paddock now, with the additional benefits of being able to socialise with other dogs and have poo bins available. It might encourage the lazier owners with less well-trained dogs to just bung them in the dog park rather than let them run rampant on rights of way, and leave the more responsible owners to enjoy the countryside with their well-trained dogs - on or off the lead.
 
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