Embarrassed, annoyed and fed up

[Littlelegs]

Seriously, grow up. Nobody said not to take your dogs out again. The incident was your fault, & you have had plenty of constructive advice as to how to prevent it next time, & nobody has condemned you. But however many toys you throw out the pram, I for one won't agree it was the riders own fault rather than yours.

 

[Marydoll]

Fine. It was all my fault. I'm a terrible dog owner and I should never take my animals out in public.

Hey im sorry if my comment upset you, but im just saying it as i see it, im not twisting your words in any way, but that is how your post came across to me

 

[Goldenstar]

Seriously, grow up. Nobody said not to take your dogs out again. The incident was your fault, & you have had plenty of constructive advice as to how to prevent it next time, & nobody has condemned you. But however many toys you throw out the pram, I for one won't agree it was the riders own fault rather than yours.

Agree with this, after the child comment I lost all sympathy with you. For the final time the puppy you where in control of ( or not in control of) ripped the leader out of its walkers hands and bounded up a horse trailing its long leader , it does not matter if the dogs eight months or eight years you could have caused that rider to have a fall .I hope your sister has third party cover for the puppy.

 

[Spiritedly]

OP you don't say how close to you the rider trotted passed? If there was a fair distance I would say it was an accident and these things happen, if on the other hand the rider passed close to you then courtesy would say it would be polite to call out a warning to make you aware they were near.
Horse riders complain enough about cyclists whizzing passed without warning or car drivers not giving enough room baring in mind that horses are animals and can react in an unexpected manner to surprises, well dogs are animals too and they also can react adversely to sudden surprises.
If you walk your sisters dog regularly it may be worth taken it to somewhere less busy until his recall is better.

 

[meesha]

Honestly, if the rider was feet away from u when they could have been further away then they should know better! Either way it was an accident. I got chased by a dog recently. Stopped to let owner grab it (i had already called hello in plenty of time to let her know I was there) she grabbed it I trotted then cantered off when safe distance away. She lost control of dog it chased us and I came off, q horse cantering back downhill on own ! She was mortified but I said "its one of those things" and warned her there were loose ponies ahead and that was it ! These things happen, learn from it but don't beat yourself up over it !

 

[tallyho!]

**** happens, forget about it. No one was hurt, I'm sure rider is not holding a grudge. Nor should you.

When I kept my horse on a beach, the horse was used to dogs and people were used to riders. Did not feel need to loudhailer my presence every two minutes.

 

[Oberon]

My Salem has an excellent recall - even as a puppy (I always refused to chase after him if he strayed so he knows I will leave him if he looses sight of me). And I do silent recalls quite often with him even now to keep him sharp.

We were walking on the bridlepath when he was around 8 months old and a horse came across us from a corner and trotted away. I am really alert on walks and always watching what's happening around us but this one snuck up on me . The curse of unshod is that I didn't hear them coming

Salem padded after them and started following

OMG - I was MORTIFIED.

Fortunately the horse and rider were from my yard and stopped for me to retrieve him with good humour.

But I was so embarassed

It can happen to anyone.

As a side note - your mum can thread the lead through her belt (a bit like a CaniCross lead) to save her hands .

 

[Blackwijet]

To those of you that are saying it shouldn't be up to the rider to have alerted the OP can I just twist this round slightly. Riding on the roads, you can generally hear cars,lorries, motorbikes etc coming up behind you but even my well behaved pretty bomb proof horse gets surprised/spooked by the silent cyclists that whizz by before you can say Bradley Wiggins! It would be great if they all gave a bit of "hello" when they were approaching but they are not obliged to and it's just a case that some are more aware than others. I'm pretty good at keeping an eye on what's happening behind but they still seem to come out of nowhere. I'm not apportioning blame on anyone though but as a previous poster said courtesty applies on both sides. As a rider if I saw someone with their back to me I might just give a yell to make sure they knew I was there - especially on the beach when the sound of hooves maybe rather muffled. It doesn't take much to yell out "morning!" whilst trotting or cantering - even I can manage that in my unfit state )

So OP don't feel bad - it was a minor mishap which you are taking action to prevent happening again.

 

[tasel]

OP - just wanted to add... Don't take out pup on long lead next time. If you watch dog behaviour TV shows, that's one of the first things they advise against. Long lead = little control.

And I still think you should think about those puppy/obedience classes...

 

[planete]

A long lead can be a very good training tool if well handled. You need to be aware of what is around you though, not just in front of you, and call/reel the dog in quickly every time it needs to be close to the handler. Probably not advisable in a busy place or with less than very supple and strong hands.
As a rider and dog owner, I would not canter or trot up behind people who cannot hear me coming whether they have a dog or not. Coming back to a walk as you reach them is just courtesy, and not going up a gear until some distance away.
If you want to canter in a place that gets busy, surely it would be better to ride early before other users turn up?
It seems to me that a bit of thoughtfulness all around would make everybody's life more enjoyable. And there is no need to be too hard on meandmyself, we have all made mistakes and she is obviously feeling bad about the incident.

 

[cindydog]

Fine. It was all my fault. I'm a terrible dog owner and I should never take my animals out in public.

Dont be so hard on yourself, next time you see rider or another rider wave them to stop and have a chat about letting your dog ( if horse is ok ) walk with them, find out are they local ask if you can bring your dog down for visit. it cant hurt.

If I saw a horse on the beach I would be drooling wishing it was me, then I would want the whole beach to just me and my horse, selfish I know..

 

[AmyMay]

the dog ought not have been loose

Why on earth not??

OP, really don't give it a second thought. Enjoy your dog and your outings with it.

 

[Goldenstar]

The dog not have been loose because it does not recall .
But as I have said these things happen , no ones hurt the rider got away from the issue as he saw fit.
It's difficult for OP it's not her dog who at eight months is not recalling and thinks its an option to yank the leader out of walkers hands !!!!!!! I can get mine back by eight weeks because of that it should never ever be in a position where it can get away in a public place it could terrify a child or knock down an old lady cause a car crash the list is endless.
If I where OP I would not be taking it out until her sister the owner has addressed the issue.

 

[Caol Ila]

I always slow to walk when passing dogs, as I think their chase instinct gets aggravated by trotting or cantering past and I don't trust owners to be able to control them under those circumstances. Also, if "wheel around 180 degrees and charge dog" were a movement on a dressage test, my horse and I would get 10s.

 

[lula]

I'm not blaming the rider. We all have equal right to use the beach.

It just really shook me up and I wanted to get other people's thoughts on it.

Fine. It was all my fault. I'm a terrible dog owner and I should never take my animals out in public.

OP, to be fair you did ask for opinions so you cant really get huffy just because you hear the ones you didnt want

no harm done, no one was hurt. Relax . it really doesnt sound like a big deal and you're a sensible enough dog owner that at least wants to train their puppy to be horse friendly and well socialised. Too many people just dont seem to give a **** so well done.

No one's attacking you.

 

[meandmyself]

How do you improve the recall if you don't have much space? He's reliable in the garden.

He also doesn't think pulling the lead out of people's hands is an acceptable. It was an accident that he got away.

I've just had him on the field and he was absolutely fine. Came back without a problem.

 

[lula]

am now having funny thoughts about having to sling a loud hailer around my neck on some baler twine next time i go on a hack so i can shout "WATCH OUT! WATCH OUT! COMING THRU!' to anyone in the vicinity.


it is common courtesy though to not exactly barge through people and allthough ive joked about it above i would always try to make sure dog walkers were aware of me if i came across them on a narrow track. Bad manners is bad manners.
apart from that i dont want an almighty slanging match with someone because either my horse has kicked their mutt or their mutt had bitten my horse so it pays to use your common sense around others we have to share our space with

 

[Crugeran Celt]

How do you improve the recall if you don't have much space? He's reliable in the garden.

He also doesn't think pulling the lead out of people's hands is an acceptable. It was an accident that he got away.

I've just had him on the field and he was absolutely fine. Came back without a problem.

Practise, practise and then some more practise! My springer/collie was a nightmare to recall on the beach but an angel out the fields or on the mountain. It took months of walking her to heel on the beach then just letting her go a few feet calling her back to much praise every time she went to go a little further. Her recall now is fantastic and I can take her anywhere and she is NEVER on a lead! She was over 8 months before she would recall without hesitation on the beach so keep going I am sure you will get there in time. In a perfect world all dogs would recall all the time and they would never chase a horse but its not perfect and accidents happen just have to try our best with all our animals to make life easier for us and everyone else but as I have said before coutersy costs nothing from dag handlers or riders or other HHO posters!

 

[PandorasJar]

What about if it had been a child that got spooked and legged it? Child may not have been under control but equally parents probably wouldn't expect half a tonne of animal legging it towards them without warning.

Personally if there are people about I won't canter past as I wouldn't want to kick up sand at people, have someone/thing run out infront or under me or god forbid risk lobbing a shoe at someone. I think it's common curtesy in a public place to keep at a trot when around people (especially directly behind) and walk when in close proximity unless a very wide path.

From the other side though... I'd be seriously annoyed out riding if a dog wasn't under control, but I'd probably stand my horse straight away to cut a chase out and then have a word with the owners about the risks. I have to say most people locally will recall dogs when given a warning that you're there and lots will recall and then move completely out of your way (maybe I'm just very lucky).

Equally if the dog went for the horse it would be pet food regardless of age/apologies.

Pan

 

[PercyMum]

OP, it was an accident. Don't worry about it. You know how to deal with it next time and you didnt mean for it to happen!

As for the rider, they probably didnt give a jot. I have to say I usually walk past people and dogs so I don't get shouted at. And equally, if a dog chases me, I do tend to canter gently off if the dog looks aggressive as I don't want to be responsible for a mashed dog or a bitten horse!

 

[Goldenstar]

What about if it had been a child that got spooked and legged it? Child may not have been under control but equally parents probably wouldn't expect half a tonne of animal legging it towards them without warning.

Personally if there are people about I won't canter past as I wouldn't want to kick up sand at people, have someone/thing run out infront or under me or god forbid risk lobbing a shoe at someone. I think it's common curtesy in a public place to keep at a trot when around people (especially directly behind) and walk when in close proximity unless a very wide path.

From the other side though... I'd be seriously annoyed out riding if a dog wasn't under control, but I'd probably stand my horse straight away to cut a chase out and then have a word with the owners about the risks. I have to say most people locally will recall dogs when given a warning that you're there and lots will recall and then move completely out of your way (maybe I'm just very lucky).

Equally if the dog went for the horse it would be pet food regardless of age/apologies.

Pan

If you read the first post the rider cantered off after the dog scared the horse and horse lashed out at the dog ,he handled it as he saw fit perhaps the horse having lashed out once he just wanted to get away.
There's no indication the rider was not in control many horses would spook at a dog with a 'snake ' tailing behind it running at it .
And you say you would stop and give the owners a ticking off I probally would stop but would not enage with someone whom can't control their dog .
But on some horses I might take the desision to get away pronto.
Its one of those no harm done things that could have been turely awful child on pony ,pony bolted ,child on the ground ,puppy kicked ,loose pony then hits car the list is almost endless but nothing happened.
I have suggested that OP takes the puppy to see horses so it can learn to ignore them walking where riders go on short lead should do the trick it's just one of those things they have to learn.

 

[PandorasJar]

If you read the first post the rider cantered off after the dog scared the horse and horse lashed out at the dog ,he handled it as he saw fit perhaps the horse having lashed out once he just wanted to get away.
There's no indication the rider was not in control many horses would spook at a dog with a 'snake ' tailing behind it running at it .
And you say you would stop and give the owners a ticking off I probally would stop but would not enage with someone whom can't control their dog .
But on some horses I might take the desision to get away pronto.
Its one of those no harm done things that could have been turely awful child on pony ,pony bolted ,child on the ground ,puppy kicked ,loose pony then hits car the list is almost endless but nothing happened.
I have suggested that OP takes the puppy to see horses so it can learn to ignore them walking where riders go on short lead should do the trick it's just one of those things they have to learn.

I'd thank you not to put words in my mouth.

I read the first post just fine however it appears you did not take the time to read mine. At no point did I say he was out of control or that he cantered up to them. My comments were that I certainly wouldn't canter with people behind... which he did by cantering off. Regardless of dog or not, people come higher up.

I also said nothing about a ticking off. I would have a word with the owner about the risks. Our area are all friendly and more than happy to hold a dog to walk past. Equally the dog has as much right to be haring around a beach as a horse which lashes out and hares off - neither reactions I'd accept.

Pan

 

[Goldenstar]

I'd thank you not to put words in my mouth.

I read the first post just fine however it appears you did not take the time to read mine. At no point did I say he was out of control or that he cantered up to them. My comments were that I certainly wouldn't canter with people behind... which he did by cantering off. Regardless of dog or not, people come higher up.

I also said nothing about a ticking off. I would have a word with the owner about the risks. Our area are all friendly and more than happy to hold a dog to walk past. Equally the dog has as much right to be haring around a beach as a horse which lashes out and hares off - neither reactions I'd accept.

Pan

It has a right to be on a beach but not to be out of control.
We where not told the rider hared off OP said he cantered off. Most riders are perfectly capable of cantering in a controlled way.
We don't know where he was relative to the other people on the beach how far the dog ran to chase him etc.
He was out minding his own buisness and got attacked he may or may not have been thoughtless but that's not the issue is it.

 

[Hippona]

I was out riding recently when a loose dog charged at my pony ( I was on daughters) barking.....pony span round and reversed and embarrasingly I fell off. Prior to this I had asked the owner if the dog was Ok with horses- she said he was fine......

Now stuff happens.....I was fine. I was a bit OMG I've just fallen off a fat 13.3hh pony in public...how embarrasing.

However....the dogs owner didn't call the dog, put it on a lead or even ask how I was....so I pointed out that although I was OK, plenty of children ride around in the lanes and her dog should really have been under control.....just to be aware next time. I was polite, despite the fact pony had been doing his mountain goat impression with me on the floor....

I was met with a torrent of abuse. Honestly...I was gobsmacked at her foulness so just mounted up and went on my way with a sore butt.

Her attitude stank...and for that reason....I reported her to the police. And as I had seen which house she came out of, they were happy to go around and ''suitably advise'' her....the police told me her dog should have been on a lead in a public place. Now....I'm happy for dogs to be off lead, I just wish people were more aware that a dogs instinct is probably to chase, and a horses is probably to plop itself....

 

[grandmaweloveyou]

(Sorry, this might be long- and it is HR.)

Took two of my dogs and my sister's dog -Merlin - to the beach this afternoon. It was fairly busy so I let the two older dogs off the lead. Both of them have a good recall and are no trouble. Kept my sister's dog on his long line because his recall is terrible.

We were walking about when a horse rider went past us going down the beach. I grabbed both of my dogs until he'd gone past. (My Mum had hold of the long line.)

The rider came back about ten minutes later, at a trot. (I didn't even know he was there at first- he didn't give us much time to recall the dogs.) Merlin took off- yanked the long line out of Mum's hands and headed directly towards the horse. Horse spooked, and kicked out. Rider cantered off, and I managed to get hold of the long line.

I'm quite shaken, feel awful for spooking the horse and I'm annoyed at Merlin. It's the first time he's ever seen a horse and I had no idea he'd react like he did.

If you were the rider, I'm very sorry for the dog's behaviour. Next time though, it might be worth shouting a warning as you're coming up to people.

I wish we had more considerate dog walkers where we ride like you seem to be. We have so many that are so selfish and let their dogs terrorise our horses with not a care in the world and when broached, politely and calmly, are quite rude.

One lady shouted at me, after a 3rd incident in which til then I had held my tongue, that her dogs have every right to roam free....mmm actually you are wrong!

You did your best, please dont worry. If the horse-rider felt you were in the wrong I am sure they would have spoken to you.

 

[Goldenstar]

I wish we had more considerate dog walkers where we ride like you seem to be. We have so many that are so selfish and let their dogs terrorise our horses with not a care in the world and when broached, politely and calmly, are quite rude.

One lady shouted at me, after a 3rd incident in which til then I had held my tongue, that her dogs have every right to roam free....mmm actually you are wrong!

You did your best, please dont worry. If the horse-rider felt you were in the wrong I am sure they would have spoken to you.

Dogs can be free but they must be in control .
I am taking a big interest in this thread as I live near a large beach and dog horse encounters of a negative kind seem to be on the increase .
Its a topic getting discussed round here a lot now what's the best thing to do some of the dog owners are really rude and kids have been yelled at when riding its a difficult issue one horse was very badly bitten by a dog whose owner legged it and was never seen again.

 

[YorksG]

I hate and loathe the retracting leads, they often seem to be held by people who feel that because the dog is at the far end of a long, very strong piece of string, that it is under control and can largely be ignored. Sister and I witnessed a terrier type pup being hit by a large double cab, as the vehicle set off from some traffic lights, all because it was on a long lead and the owner was texting and thus taking no notice of the dog at all. I am sure she thought that she was in control of the dog, but actually had no control at all. I also do not think that dogs should be taken off the short lead, to exciting places until they have pretty near perfect recall in none exciting ones.

 

[meandmyself]

I hate and loathe the retracting leads, they often seem to be held by people who feel that because the dog is at the far end of a long, very strong piece of string, that it is under control and can largely be ignored. Sister and I witnessed a terrier type pup being hit by a large double cab, as the vehicle set off from some traffic lights, all because it was on a long lead and the owner was texting and thus taking no notice of the dog at all. I am sure she thought that she was in control of the dog, but actually had no control at all. I also do not think that dogs should be taken off the short lead, to exciting places until they have pretty near perfect recall in none exciting ones.

I hate them too and refuse to use them. I have scars on my legs from one.

 

[smellsofhorse]

as a dog owner and horse rider.
i would totally understand.
Dogs get excited and are predators.

horse can be unpredictable. or like mine predictably spooky.
and prey animals.

im sure the rider understands, its not like you did it on purpose or did anything selfish.

we all have to share the open spaces!

 

[mandwhy]

I don't think you should feel bad, you (well your mum) were doing your best to be in control and I don't think anyone can say we haven't accidentally leg go ofa dog or horse at some point!

The rider was not understanding and they should have been. Cantering away is stupid in my opinion and inviting the dog to chase even if it shouldn't have been loose.

I also do not canter when in close proximity to other people even if it is annoying to slow down (they always turn up halfway up my fave grass tracks!) , some people find it frightening and I don't really blame them!