Dogs that chase horses

Flame_

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 November 2007
Messages
8,218
Location
Merseyside
Visit site
Is it just me or are they an accident waiting to happen? I had to walk my box rested mare this morning for 20 minutes or so. Well while I was trying to do this YM was trying to catch a difficult young cob. Every time this pony bu**ered off her dog ran after it barking and snapping at its heels - YM yelling at the dog to come back and pony getting more wound up and uncooperative. All this upset my horse, which is annoying but beside the point. There are some very sharp unpredictable horses on our livery yard and I think its a matter of time before this dog goes after a ridden horse having an explosive moment, I've seen it chase horses on the lunge before.

Its a lovely yard, the YM is competant and accommodating - if this was a livery's dog I think it might have been sorted by now somehow. YM apologised for difficult pony charging about upsetting my horse and I said I was more worried about the dog chasing horses. I don't really think there's much else I can do. Any suggestions????
 
Does the dog chase you're horse? I would just leave it, it will soon learn its lesson.

Thankfully Im on a yard with 1 other lady who I get on really well with, her dogs are good and my little westie X is good but a bit thick and annoying! But they never chase the horses. Rex (my dog) had his foot trodden on by Bertie the other day, he will sit in front of them and let them sniff him all over!


A few weeks ago I was riding through the woods down a narrow ish path and there was a husky with its owner and it stood quietly as we walked past it and then it came running at Bear barking at his back legs, Bear kicked out but un fortunately missed it!!
Bear would never kick out at any dog that minds its own business. I told him off for missing it!
 
I have a greyhound, she will chase anything given the chance as that is what she is bred to do, therefore I never let her off the lead unless we are in an enclosed field where she can have a good run safely, without causing a danger to herself or other people & horses. Why can't people be more responsible?? I chose a big dog, I know I can't have her fully under control off the lead, so I take responsibility to ensure that my choice of dog is not someone elses problem.
 
One woman on my yard hasn't spoken to me since I told her off for letting her dog chase my horse while I was lunging. He narrowly missed being kicked - she didn't see anything wrong with letting him run loose even though she said she'd already had one dog killed by a horse. Sadly some owners will only learn to control their dog around horses when it has been kicked and injured - and some won't learn at all.
 
The only serious fall I ever had was a bolting pony being chased by a very large dog while out hacking. It was very scary. I made a formal complaint to the police but it didn't get far...to be expected really. Its very irresponsible to allow a dog to chase. If people know they do it, they must put it on a lead!!!!!!! If it had been a child on the pony it could have been awful, luckily it was a quiet road/farmland and I only suffered a dislocated elbow.
Could you not tactfully broach the subject with her???? especially if it happens again. She sounds sensible enough.
 
I don't think there is any excuse for this. I had an incident out riding in a wood when a spaniel attacked my very spooky arab. My horse was about to lose the plot but a well aimed swipe with the whip on the dogs rump had it yelping and running for cover (luckily the owners were out of sight). Hopefully it will think twice before taking on a horse again and better a stinging backside than an injured horse or rider. Please don't think that this is anti-dog - I've got a lurcher myself but it has learned that rabbits are for chasing - not horses or other livestock.
 
Appreciate your comments Kizzywiz - I wish there were more people like you.

Now to be flippant - to all of you who have problems with dogs chasing your horses, I offer you the loan of my boy Warrior. Waz has been spotted - on frequent occasions - actually chasing the dogs instead. I once watched him co-ordinate the rest of my gang into herding my friends two Staffies straight out of the field. However as long as the dog (any dog) is on a lead, Warrior ignores them completely.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Appreciate your comments Kizzywiz - I wish there were more people like you.

Now to be flippant - to all of you who have problems with dogs chasing your horses, I offer you the loan of my boy Warrior. Waz has been spotted - on frequent occasions - actually chasing the dogs instead. I once watched him co-ordinate the rest of my gang into herding my friends two Staffies straight out of the field. However as long as the dog (any dog) is on a lead, Warrior ignores them completely.

[/ QUOTE ]

How soon can you send him
smile.gif
 
He's on his way Hullabaloo. I've just phoned him from my office and given him directions how to get to the M4 (which is the logical way to get to Wiltshire from here). I've told him to stick to the central reservation because he's barefoot and all that tarmac might not do his feet any good. Look out for a 16hh Brown/Black TBX gelding coming your way!
 
Great - I'll pop down to the motorway junction lunchtime and see if he's arrived! At least he'll have something in common with my 16hh black/brown tbx gelding!
 
My husband and I were chased by a dog when we were on a farm ride that also had a fishing site. It belonged to some young lads who thought it was ok for it to chase us. They changed they minds when my hubby turned his mare round and proceed to chase their dog! suddenly the dog wasn't so brave. They soon put it back on its lead.
 
grin.gif
grin.gif
Me and Flame (my old pony) once chased a cocky group of lads and their loose dog all over the rough bit of Carrington Moss, oh how they did scream. I'll be smiling all day now you've reminded me of that, and it had to be about 15 years ago!! Maybe all you need to deal with wayward dogs (and people!) is a horse that helps you stand up for yourself.
grin.gif
grin.gif
 
We have recently got a rescue dog, absolute superstar, really nice to be around and is keen to learn. Problem is he is constantly trying to herd the horses, im tempted to let him get kicked, but fear the consequences. Anyone know if its possible to get rid of the herding instinct from a border collie..lol..wed love to take him on rides but all he wants to do is nip at heels.. Sorry not nabbing your thread but seems pretty relevant to bother starting a new one..lol
 
Top