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Tizzy

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Not realy going anywhere with this thread but its more of a head in hands quiet moan about people and their pooches.

Whilst out hacking at the weekend, i was quietly minding my own business, nobody else around so decided to go for a gentle canter up a slight hill. Got the top and saw a family sat on the grass about 30m away and a GSP off his lead. Fair enough, he is allowed. I come to a stop and smile at the family, dog decides to come bounding up to my horse and tries getting a little too close, not in an aggressive manner but i still wafted him away with my crop. The lady who owns him comes sauntering over, then stops and asks me what should she do. Now i was a little bemused by this question, so politely asked her if she could just get hold of him so I can get past without any accidents. I told her that not all horses are as good with dogs as mine and to try and get hold of him next time when she sees a horse so save injuries. She then tries to grab the dog and he dashes away from her and comes back at me, she then runs away squealing his name (shame i didnt have a camera as this part was hilarious). Dog eventually follows and she grabs him. I thank her and wander off.

About 10 minutes later I come across a guy and his young son, with a beagle (sp?). Again I stop and smile at the guy, he calls his dog back but doesnt put it on a lead. Just stands there and tells me his dog wont move. Now the whole time this dog wasnt happy just sitting there, he kept getting up and trying to come over and the guy just calls it back. Ok, so I start to slowly and quietly wander off again and we disappear out of sight. Come up to the lovely straight bit we always canter along, see nobody about and then go for quite a long canter. Whilst going along I notice ears have gone back on neddy and have a quick peek behind. Only to find the sodding beagle is chasing us. So again I come to a stop and the dog keeps coming closer and closer. I cant see the owner anywhere and dog starts yapping and snarling so I move forward, dog doesnt like this and moves back. I keep him at bay and about 5 minutes later the owner comes into view. Now if this was my dog who had just run off id be out of breath from trying to catch up and find him... But no, this guy is just wandering along, hands in pocket and whistling a TUNE and smiling! By this point im a bit fed up so ask him next time he sees a horse to put it on a lead as that could have been a very dangerous situation for his dog. He just didnt seem to care, at all.

Most other people have been great with catching their dogs when i come across them. Whenever i see a dog il always stop and wait for the owners to appear. This seems to keep both dog and neddy calm and il thank the owners nd sometimes have a little chat with those who catch them and put them on a lead. Some others just havnt got a clue.

Its not so much my horse im concerned about as he is great with dogs, but if this was someone who had a horse who didnt like them then it could get a little sticky.

Quiet mumbly rant over:)
 
I think some dog owners just don't realise how dangerous a kick fromn a horse can be to their dog, or how they are risking the riders safety. There is a couple who regularly walk where I ride who own an Hungarian Viszla, a lovely dog but he is allowed to run miles ahead over the crops and will stand barking at horses and then follow them trying sto sniff their heels. His owners are permanently on a mobile phone and ignore any comments that he could get kicked.

Saying that when I was at the beach this weekend a girl was allowing her horse to roll right beside a family having picnic with a loose dog running around. Common sense seems to be a rarity in some cases.
 
In one of the places I regularly hack out in, I often meet a woman who has a dog walking service and she has about 10 dogs with her - all shapes and sizes, running around, barking, sniffing and so on. I dog proofed my horse with a friend's dogs - she has 3 and we take them out with us sometimes - otherwise, I'd be in deep trouble! I've come to the conclusion that most people are stupid when it comes to most things.
 
I agree its the common sense thing - my lab is on the yard with me all the time so is pretty horse savy but if I see a horse whilst out walking I always put him on a lead, as not all horses are going to be keen on an exited labbie bounding toward them!! the other day I wasnt quick enough as one came cantering over the brow of the hill, labbie goes bounding up (not to close) rider stopped and I then called him back to me - he came as a horse not moving isnt very exciting! but I made a point of going to apologise to the rider and thank her for stopping, some people just dont have a clue though :)
 
touchstone said:
I think some dog owners just don't realise how dangerous a kick fromn a horse can be to their dog, or how they are risking the riders safety. There is a couple who regularly walk where I ride who own an Hungarian Viszla, a lovely dog but he is allowed to run miles ahead over the crops and will stand barking at horses and then follow them trying sto sniff their heels. His owners are permanently on a mobile phone and ignore any comments that he could get kicked.

Saying that when I was at the beach this weekend a girl was allowing her horse to roll right beside a family having picnic with a loose dog running around. Common sense seems to be a rarity in some cases.
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This ^^

I asked a guy to put his staffie on its lead because my horse wasn't good with dogs and would kick it. The dog was in and out of my horses legs and out of control. The bloke said that If my horse kicked his dog, it would teach it a lesson! Cue big argument......... :mad:
 
Yes, there are dog walkers with no common sense. Also there are riders with no common sense. Tbh, if I went cantering over the brow of a hill on land others use, & encountered an overexcited dog, I'd hold myself just as responsible as the dog owner.
 
Couldn't disagree more wench. Idiots shouldn't be allowed out in public, whether walking a dog, riding, or anything else. Just as many idiots hack as walk dogs.
 
Some people just don't have the sense they were born with. I was walking this summer with kids and OH in Cookham - not sure if any of you know that area. We walked up to the Weir. Now a weir as I am sure you are all aware is a very dangerous place but a stupid stupid dog walker was throwing a ball into the river right next to the weir. The dog retrieved the ball but was getting tired because of the turbulent water, got to the riverside (concrete wall) and turned the wrong way towards the weir. The owners only just managed to grab the dog's collar before it got sucked under!

You wouldn't let your child swim there so why would you encourage your beloved pet into there!

OP, in future i would just say, my horse kicks and your dog will get hurt. Otherwise some idiot will think it quite fun to see the outcome of "my horse might be frightened"!!
 
If you can control your dog I don't see why it shouldn't be off lead. I rarely walk my dogs where there will be horses, but if I do see one, I call them back and put them on a lead except the jack russell who ignores horses anyway as he is my hacking buddy.

I have had dogs chase me when on my horse or run up to him, stand underneath him, jump up and put their paws on him etc. I don't get angry as he won't react, but I do say some horses may kick so be careful in future.

I guess some dog owners could moan about horses galloping around the countryside, but if we all try to respect each other I think we can all enjoy it together :)
 
Goldenstar said:
A bit harsh on those of us can who can control our dogs.
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Agreed. As someone who has both horses AND dogs, there does seem to be a really strong anti element on this board now. Just read the "dogs should be banned from events etc" comments.

There are idiotic dog owners, there are idiotic parents and a HUGE amount of idiotic thoughtless riders. I don't tar every parent with the same brush when meeting truly badly behaved children, or all riders when stuck behind people nattering side by side ignoring traffic behind them.

the vast majority of people put effort into training their dogs, teaching children to behave etc etc so lets not look to banning everything.

Oh and the comment re: staffies. Well all 3 of mine are staffies. Youngest one hacks out safely. All have been taught how to behave around horses. it's the owner not the dog!
 
Agree 100% amymay. I have met out of control dogs, but the majority are unforeseen just as it can happen with horses. I suspect I may meet far more though if I went cantering over the brows of hills where I don't have a clear view!
 
Annie can be left off her lead when horses are around and be no trouble, however, I put her on her leads as a show of respect.
If I was walking a dog I didn't know (I used to a lot when I was younger) or if it had poor call-back skills, I wouldn't let it off, at least in places where I know I'd see people or it could run on the road. I don't walk with a friend anymore because she lets her dog off the lead in very public places and it has terrible call-back skills, it nearly got us in a fight when it trashed someone's picnic. It would be different if she was trying to train it, but she seems to think it's ok and isn't bothered.
 
Wow wish I had hacking where I could go cantering along :( I've had the same problem on the bridleway I use. Some old man tried telling me it wasn't a bridleway and I shouldn't be on it, I was stood outside our house on my horse at the time as the bridleway runs infront of our drive and politely told him that it has been a brideway all the years ive been living here pointing at my house, he didn't bother calling his dog that was trying to bite my horses legs as he walked off so I reached down with my stick and removed it myself! Not cruely of course.
 
we are lucky as all the dog walkers we meet when we are riding put their dogs on leads as soon as they see us. we also make sure we stop so we dont distract the dog. everyone happy!!!! my dogs are fine with horses but i always call them and put them on leads if i see horses, you never know what might happen so better safe than sorry, i certainly dont want my dogs kicked!!!!
 
My horse is unfortunately one of those that doesn't like dogs! He never used to mind them but after a few incidents of been chased by dogs he has soon changed his mind! In all my 18 years of riding i have never been chased by a dog and in this last year several have... I manage to get my horse under control as in not running off but he bounces around bucking and kicking out at the dog! I don't think owners think about what the outcome could be.... I always stop when i see lose dogs and let their owners put them on a lead before i go any nearer.
There is another post on here where someone said they were riding along a bridlepath their horse just walking along when a dog came up to it, set the horse off and the horse kicked the dog causing it to need vetinary attention - the rider was made responsible as her horse was dangerous and not under control and she had to pay vet bills for that dog! Thats disgusting as far as i am concerned as the horse wouldn't have been out of control or able to kick the dog if it hadn't have been out of control and too close to the horse in the first place!!!!!!!
 
Ha OP I sympathise. This is my dog thread

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=561240

I like dogs. I like people. BUT I have been chased four times in one week. That is enough to try the patience of anyone I think. My horse now won't walk next to the hedge as he is constantly on red alert for dogs which might come bounding out of it. Obviously the horse needs to grow a pair but it is frustrating.

I don't want all dogs kept on leads, I want dogs with no recall kept on leads. I do think that is fair.

Now, for balance I met three dog walkers yesterday whilst hacking. All of them put their dogs on the lead for us to pass and I thanked all of them profusely. It's a shame the minority have to spoil it for everyone else.
 
jesstickle said:
Ha OP I sympathise. This is my dog thread

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=561240

I like dogs. I like people. BUT I have been chased four times in one week. That is enough to try the patience of anyone I think. My horse now won't walk next to the hedge as he is constantly on red alert for dogs which might come bounding out of it. Obviously the horse needs to grow a pair but it is frustrating.

I don't want all dogs kept on leads, I want dogs with no recall kept on leads. I do think that is fair.

Now, for balance I met three dog walkers yesterday whilst hacking. All of them put their dogs on the lead for us to pass and I thanked all of them profusely. It's a shame the minority have to spoil it for everyone else.
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Yes I remember reading this one! So you have dog running round in circles at your horse and 2 people close behind trying to catch it. Can you imagine what that must have looked like to someone watching? Like something out of a 'carry on' film! At least your horse wasnt harmed and all credit to him, very patient.
 
Luckily all the dogs we've met out hacking so far the owners have been good and put them on leads a couple haven't but the dogs have stood still next to them very well behaved so I have no issue with them.

However when one comes charging in to the arena barking and running at my pony it's another matter! Said dog a german shepherd actually scared me quite a bit as they are quite scary dogs when its one you don't know (I do like the breed as friend has a lovely one) was running at my pony barking, teeth bared and I honestly thought it was going to attack and had my lunge whip ready to get it if it had. Luckily I was lunging as from way pony reacted I wouldn't of had a chance of staying on! Owner took about 5minutes to come retrieve it even though it was barking it's head off. Same dog came running in another day whilst I was riding, still scared pony but this time owner got it quicker.

Pony is now even more scared of dogs than he was just as we were getting to a point where he wasn't bothered by them.
 
rhodes1029 said:
There is another post on here where someone said they were riding along a bridlepath their horse just walking along when a dog came up to it, set the horse off and the horse kicked the dog causing it to need vetinary attention - the rider was made responsible as her horse was dangerous and not under control and she had to pay vet bills for that dog! Thats disgusting as far as i am concerned as the horse wouldn't have been out of control or able to kick the dog if it hadn't have been out of control and too close to the horse in the first place!!!!!!!
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Oh you are kidding! How disgusting and im sorry, but in this situation I would not be held responsible. Injury or no injury, if the dog was being aggressive towards the horse then it serves it right to be kicked. If the owners wanted to play it that way I think id be after them for money in return to get my horse 'therapy' to learn to deal with dogs again thanks to the actions of the dog in question.

Poor horse and rider, I hope she is ok now:(.
 
I hack with my dogs! Usually early as then I don't meet anyone as I know some owners say their horses are afraid. Mine completely ignore the horses and are either just following me or sniffing for rabbits/foxes. I am aware that the sight of a loose dog frightens some (even if that loose dog is not even looking their way) so I do let them know there is 1 or 2 following me and give the dog/s a quick call to catch me up.

We also have walkers and bike riders! I've been hacking for almost 30 years and 10 with my dogs and "touch wood" I have never had any incident with mine or anyone elses.....

That said a friend WAS attacked whilst on her horse but this was on ground that is only used by horses for about 0.01% of the time whereas our woods are mainly used by riders so the walkers/cylists/runners etc know the "rules" so to speak.
 
I'm a dog walker, it's my business. My own 3 dogs have been bought up around horses, but not all my customers dogs have. I always call the dogs to me if I see a horse rider in the distance, to reassure the rider my dogs are under control and it is safe for them to pass me. I always speak to the rider, so the horse knows I'm friendly, and 99% of the time, the riders acknowledge me and thank me.

What really, really winds me up is to see people riding on roads with their dogs. There is absolutely no way that dog is under control, it only takes a bolting rabbit or similar to attract the dog, maybe across the road!!!! It really is totally irresponsible, and actually against the law... Yesterday, my local riding school was taking out a hack of about 10 horses with inexperienced riders on board. They were all in file walking along a country lane, with a lovely loose Lab running ahead of the ride. Disgusting!!!!!
 
Waffles said:
In one of the places I regularly hack out in, I often meet a woman who has a dog walking service and she has about 10 dogs with her - all shapes and sizes, running around, barking, sniffing and so on. I dog proofed my horse with a friend's dogs - she has 3 and we take them out with us sometimes - otherwise, I'd be in deep trouble! I've come to the conclusion that most people are stupid when it comes to most things.
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I like that :D most people are stupid when it comes to most things, very similar to my NOA.
 
About 3 years ago when riding across a park a little white ball of fluff with 2 inch legs came running across to us going snuff snuff snuff, I carried on for a bit out of reach, then realised the owner who was SHOUTING rosie rosie rosie was getting further and further away, so I turned and rode towards the owner so the dog would follow and she could get it, no problem and lady was grateful, anyway
20 mins later as I am heading back, all the way across a large park little fluff rosie spots us and comes running towards us again, snuff snuff snuff, owner SHOUTING rosie rosie rosie, I though stuff this and cantered off, if she could catch up with 2 inch legs she would deserve to catch us, bloody hilarious, little ball of fluff barking, well more snuffling at a bloomin great ginger sausage :D so funny.
 
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