Feel awful - my horse kicked my friend's dog and broke its leg:(

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Tobiano

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… pointless really but feeling terrible. Horse (youngster) was staying with friend, dog got too close and has a broken leg. I don't know what to do to help. Anyone else been in this situation, either way round? What did you feel and could you do anything to try to make amends?
 
If you want to feel better pay for the vet. Difficult situation though, was friends dog under control or harassing horse who just retaliated? Did the horse chase the dog?
 
My horse kicked my friends dog. Luckily she only had bad bruising. I felt really bad. But her dog chased my horse and grabbed his tail, he didn't react to that but then she nipped his belly, so he kicked her. It wasn't the horses fault it was my friends for not controlling her dog. Didn't make me feel any less guilty though.
 
I'd feel dreadful too but I really don't think you're at fault. I'm sure someone on here will point out that the dog shouldn't have been anywhere near the horse but it happened and there is no point in hindsight.

Depending on your relationship with your friend, I'd either offer to go halves on any vet bills (if the dog is not insured) or buy a whacking big box of chocolates/bottle of wine and some dog treats and tell her how upset you are. Sometimes, all people need to know is that the "one in the wrong" (which I really don't think you are) feels just as bad about the situation.

Horses will be horses and dogs will be dogs and it could have been a lot worse.
 
I would pay for the vet assuming that it was a genuine accident and your friends dog wasn't left to run loose unsupervised and was not snapping at the horses fetlocks or anything.

ETA Sorry I missed the bit where the horse was staying with her. As she had control of both the horse and dog at the time I don't think I would pay. Apologies for missing that
 
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As the horse was staying with your friend, I think I would offer to pay the vet bills. As a general rule though, I think it is the responsibility of the dog's owner to keep the dog out of harm's way. We keep our dogs and horses at home, both species use the yard but they are NEVER allowed in there at the same time and we do not allow the dogs into the horse fields.
 
I'd feel bad and be tempted to pay for some of the vet bills, however why was the dog near enough to the horse to be kicked? I think the owner is responsible for her dog and shouldn't have let it get so close there is no reason for it imho. But because I'm quite good at feeling guilty I'd probably buckle and pay vets fees (but would be chuntering about it!)
 
If the horse kicked the dog and the dog was not harassing the horse I think I would feel the need to pay the bill .
 
Young inexperienced horse? Daft Dooley dog running around its feet? Strange environment? Strange handler? =??

Unless your friend is a complete novice, she would of known and been a lot more careful, so no, although I'd feel bad about the situation I wouldn't be paying any vet bills.
 
A horse kicking a hound out hunting is probably the biggest sin you can be guilty of (apart from a horse kicking a person). May I remind people to turn horses heads towards hounds as they pass. It still happens with us despite people being told.

With strange dogs it is always best to do the same, however dogs that run up to horses agressively, if they get kicked, deserve all they get from the horse as it is trying to protect itself in my opinion and the rider shouldn't be responsible.

However when something happens with friends, its best to work out something amicably if it is just a silly accident.
 
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Oh no, you must feel terrible. There are some things I would consider.

Is the horse kept in the same place as the dog or did your friend bring her dog to the yard?

Were you with the horse at the time?

Was the friend handling the horse at the time?

Do you pay her to keep horse there or is she doing you a favour?

Was the dog chasing the horse?

If the friend brought the dog down to the horse, was handling the horse at the time, accepts rent for facilities or dog was chasing horse, I'd buy a gift and apologise.

If horse was loose in field, dog lives at yard, friend is doing favour, I was riding or handling horse and dog was just too close, I'd pay the vet bills.
 
Thanks Houndman good reminder. I wasn't there but the horse was not being ridden at the time. Dog is insured but i will definitely pay the excess.

Oh BTW I thought horse kicking a hound WAS a bigger sin than horse kicking a person! - unless it is the MFH I suppose.

Thank you all. Helps to see your views x x
 
When I was looking after my daughters dog, my filly stood on the dogs paw, which required emergency out of hours treatment. I paid the bill as I had responsibility for the animals at the time.
Fortunately, insurance refunded some of the cost.

I agree that it's a nice gesture to pay the excess though. Friends are important.
 
If I was in your friend's position I wouldn't let you pay the excess as I would feel it was my fault for letting my dog get within kicking reach of your horse. It is a lovely gesture though.
 
minesadouble said:
If I was in your friend's position I wouldn't let you pay the excess as I would feel it was my fault for letting my dog get within kicking reach of your horse. It is a lovely gesture though.
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I agree with this, the fact that you had offered to pay the excess would have been gesture enough for me. I hope the dog recovers well and please don't beat yourself up about it.
 
Not really your fault.
Although I understand how you feel guilty.

If dog got to close, even with a trusted horse. Then it was bad luck and owners fault for not keeping dog at a safe distance.

If horse chased dog then it would be more horses fault.

Either way its just bad luck.

Hope dog is ok.
Buy him a bone!
 
Elsbells said:
Young inexperienced horse? Daft Dooley dog running around its feet? Strange environment? Strange handler? =??

Unless your friend is a complete novice, she would of known and been a lot more careful, so no, although I'd feel bad about the situation I wouldn't be paying any vet bills.
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This, I'm afraid.
 
Accidents happen and if dogs are not where they should be and under control, then that's an accident waiting to happen. I ran over my friends dog in my lorry and killed it. It was really dreadful and I still feel sick when I think of it but the dog ran in front of the lorry and I couldn't swerve or break to miss it. Your friend was responsible for the her dog, not you, but thank goodness the dog will recover. I'd pay the excess (cos it would help me feel better) and thank god it was nothing worse!
 
Thanks oldie48. Gosh I am so sorry about your accident, that must have been just awful but totally not your fault. I do feel very grateful that my friend's dog appears to be going to recover and thank goodness my youngster was not shod.
 
Been there with my own dog and a pony we had on loan, one Sunday (typically) collie shot out from behind the kennel and grabbed hind fetlock of the 11 hander, resulting in broken in two places front leg. £600 (not insured) and an external traction frame and six pins later combined with 10 weeks total confinement (not easy with a 10 month old collie) the dog healed but was always a pain around the horses so had to be kept away. Sometimes it just no ones fault, a moments lapse. Good of you to offer payment, who ever at fault.
 
This nearly happened to me. I was leading my youngster passed a livery's dog with plenty of space but he lunged at my horse (he was tied up but lead was very long) and nipped my youngster's back legs. Thankfully he didn't react but my heart certainly stopped for a moment as I was so worried he would kick out in self defence. Had that happened and the dog was injured I would have gone halves on vet bills.
 
if the situation was reversed and the dog had bitten and injured the horse, would the friend have paid the bill? if she would, then i'd go halves on vets bill. otherwise its her dog to keep control of.
 
LJR said:
I agree with this, the fact that you had offered to pay the excess would have been gesture enough for me. I hope the dog recovers well and please don't beat yourself up about it.
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So agree...you couldn't have done anything as you were not there but definitely for the sake of the friendship and to show proper empaphy, you should OFFER to pay. If it was me I wouldn't accept the offer - a really nice thoughtful gift would be appreciated then...horrible situation though..I hope you all recover!
 
I had a friends pony staying at my place . She was a difficult mare but she managed to step on one of my dogs feet and stripped her foot. Vet bill was extensive but my friend did offer to pay. I declined as it was an accident pure and simple . I hope that you can come to a compromise that suits you both .
 
A few weeks ago my horse broke my elderly dog's leg. It was horrendous and my lovely old girl had to be put down.
It was not the horse's fault; I should have been more vigilant as I knew she could be nippy with them. I am the only one to blame in this.
I suspect your friend feels the same given that your horse is a youngster.
Incidentally the vets fees were looking at over £2000 had she survived and she was not insured. Vets bills rack up for small animals too !
 
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minesadouble said:
If I was in your friend's position I wouldn't let you pay the excess as I would feel it was my fault for letting my dog get within kicking reach of your horse. It is a lovely gesture though.
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This exactly.

FWIW, I have youngsters here but regardless, no dogs are allowed into a field where there are horses, it's just inviting trouble as they'll spot it and want to chase it to get it out of their field or to simply play with it. It's no fun seeing your dog bowled over by galloping hooves even if they don't mean to hurt it but the sheer difference in size and weight alone means a dog will come off badly.
 
oh Melbiswas, that is terrible, I am so sorry.

I must say I was very careful with my dog around the horses today.

Little update - I forced a few quid and a bottle on my protesting friend. Her dog seems a bit brighter today and will hopefully be ok. And nearly as importantly we are still friends.
 
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