Help! Dog Walkers claim my mare has attacked them!!

touchstone said:
I'm pretty sure that horses are classed as livestock in the case of dogs chasing them, and in such a case the dog's owner would be liable for prosecution if it had been chasing your horse.

My dad had two dogs that constantly chased his horses while the owners stood and watched fido 'having fun'. He warned them repeatedly and they ignored it and he ended up shooting one of the dogs (he had meant to fire a warning shot at it, but it ricotched off a rock and caught the doberman on the backside.) :o It was fine but sore poor thing.

The police were quite happy that he was within his rights and he has had no further problems with any dogs.

In your situation I'd tape off the footpath, and put up notices to keep dogs on a lead.
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Similar to this, could you possibly try the angle of "I am perfectly within my rights to shoot any dog which is harassing my livestock... and if my horse was bucking, rearing and running about it sounds distressed..."

I don't know the exact law relating to this, but if I were a whining dog walker... that would definately make me think twice about letting my dog roam about the field!! They are clearly concerned for the dog's safety if they thought your horse was "attacking" it so a hint like that might make a difference.

*Disclaimer* I don't know the exact law in this area and before you try anything like this, you should definately research it to ensure you do nothing which is illegal.
 
It might be difficult to bisect your field with a walkway but couldn't you make a 'bypass' around the edge of the field? I own dogs so appreciate the needs of dog walkers but to allow a dog to run free iin a field of horses is ridiculous. Dogs can do so much damage, either with their teeth or by frighteing the horses into bolts where they can injure themselves.

As for the bucking and the rearing, she is probably putting on a show. One of my mini shets does that whenever she sees me coming and she isn't in the least dangerous, she is the most gentle and trustworthy little pony I've ever encountered.
 
Trakehner said:
The path is muddy too! I bet they got their Wellies wet and icky! And manure...that's disgusting too, especially when Fluffy eats a big turd or two...got to pick up the manure, it's just too horrid.

Don't forget the sliver they got when tearing your fence apart, hassle-hassle-hassle...so time off work to go to the doctors should be paid.

The grass was also wet and slippery, they could have fallen! All those nasty branches in the trees too! Just waiting to fall on the "tresspassers" demanding you make them happy.

Hmmm, maybe you should have a money dispenser for when people wander by...that would probably make them a bit happier with all the suffering you put them through.

Now where to buy the horse-nappies to hide your mare's privates...it's just too upsetting, all that animal nudity...oh, the children!!!
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QR

I now love you :D
 
It is the County Council who know the law about rights of way, don't rely on what the Parish Council says. I wouldn't change the route of the path, personally, because the County Council are responsible for the footpath, if you start giving people an alternative that is your responsibility.

People do have a right to walk on the path, so although it is a pest, the best thing would be to fence off the line of the path, even with elecric fencing.

But I think a letter about keeping dogs on leads is OK. It sounds as though the horse was just playing around and bucking and kicking - that is very different from attacking, but people are frightened of horses so maybe they felt threatened. I had a mare out in a field with a public footpath, fortunately it goes down the side of the field. Now she was a misery and I could see that she might take a dislike to someone and double barrell them! (she was sweet to ride!). So I fenced off the footpath with electric fencing and gave the walkers a nice wide path and the CC path warden came round and contratulated me on my fence.
 
I would paint the gate on either side of the field (if applicable) with a sign saying 'horses in field' that way they cannot remove the sign and and also if you put 'warning' or 'beware' horses it implies that the animals may be dangerous and you are aware of this.

This is what we had to do when we had a bull in with our cattle as our signs were removed from the gates.
 
ORANGEHORSE said:
It is the County Council who know the law about rights of way, don't rely on what the Parish Council says. I wouldn't change the route of the path, personally, because the County Council are responsible for the footpath, if you start giving people an alternative that is your responsibility.

.
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Thanks for advice, I have just rung Derbyshire CC and left a message for the footpath guy to contact me. Will wait and see what the official response is.:rolleyes:
 
polopony said:
I would paint the gate on either side of the field (if applicable) with a sign saying 'horses in field' that way they cannot remove the sign and and also if you put 'warning' or 'beware' horses it implies that the animals may be dangerous and you are aware of this.
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I agree with this. If you say "beware of the horse" you are admitting that you think it is dangerous. Better to say "please keep your dog on a lead" or "don't let your dog chase the horses".

We had visitors too scared to cross our field because our filly wanted to have a cuddle! All she did was to stand next to them and nuzzle their pockets. they waited 15 min and then phoned us to come and save them.;):D
 
We have a footpath through our field, thankfully down one side.
We don't fence it (although have in the past), and have had one woman who says our horse kicked out at her - bucked as he turned away more like. We've ignored her for now, but if it gets taken further we'll electric fence again.... it gets very muddy where the footpath runs, so she'll be shooting herself in the foot.

I've also had to retrieve a loose dog as the owner couldn't recall it - it was running round harrassing them. I was surprisingly calm, and thankfully horses were not bitten, and whilst livid, rationally explained she was lucky not to have a vet bill or worse a dead dog.

I'll be interested to know what the council say Toraylac
 
Trakehner said:
I had a mare who hated dogs (especially Corgis). She was attacked as a yearling and badly bitten. She loved cats...HATED dogs. I was at a show parked far from the crowds (more peaceful). An idiot woman walked her Corgi up, I warned her "keep him away from the horse, she'll kick him". "Oh, but Fluffy loves horses, she just wants to smell her" she whined. "Keep your bloody dog away from my mare!" I now yelled to no effect. Soon, I heard, "Whack!" followed by a "YIP!" with a quick, "Fluffy!" as her horrid dog was sent sailing away, fully kicked. Scratch one Corgi. The Steward came by, heard from everyone within 50 yards I'd warned her (I can be loud) and off she went to bury Fluffy.

My mare had a go at another Corgi a few months later...same twit type of owner, same idiot sniffing dog, same warning, same "Ooooo, Ahhhhh, look at the distance she got on that Corgi!" An amazing penalty kick. I've got two Corgi silhouttes painted on my mare's stall and horse box.
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Now this made me laugh - I would quite like to paint car silhouettes on the side of my horsebox to scare off the ones that cut me up. Or have them on the exercise sheet for the horse. :) :)
 
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Not sure I find a dog being kicked to death amusing, no matter how daft the owner was - it wasn't the dog's fault.:(

Anyhow, I would look at fencing the path if you can and have a look on the NFU website as they came up with some wording for a sign for farmers that didn't admit liability but that did warn people about the potential hazards.
 
Do you think there is a possibility walkers have been feeding her, which might have also wound her up?

I was walking dog (on lead) through field of ponies near my parents house. Mum with two kiddies was stood on footpath in middle of the field feeding horses bag of bread crusts. They then turned to walk away. Pony being greedy and not realising bag was empty went after them to try and mug them for what was left and they had to run for the gate. Could easily see that being misconsructed as an "attack" even though it was their own stupid fault. It could easily lead to pony getting bolshy around other walkers too if he thinks everyone has food. Wish people would just leave other peoples animals alone!!
 
Dog walkers are obliged by law to keep their dogs under control at al times when on a public highway or public right of way (sadly this does not mean that they must keep them on a lead).
If you want to avoid you horses being injured or a lot of aggrovation then I would post and rail both sides of the footpath and also have equi-fencing (a tight form of sheep fencing) on it. This will prevent dogs getting from the public footpath in to the fields.
I would also ensure that you have third party public liability insurance of no less than £10,00,000 as you are responsible for any accident that your horses cause. (Even if it is not your fault)

I would not advise using electric fencing as if you do you need to keep it 1 metre away from the sides of the public footpath or any gates. You also need to dispay the recognised yellow warning signs along it. Even if the signs are ripped down you are responsible for any accidents.
 
Out top field is about 100 yards off the forrest path and we get the odd out of control dog jumping the walls in with or guys.

They don't do it again! The big ginger guy has zero tollerance of gobby dogs. I've never heard a horse actually hiss before I got this one - one look at his ears back, teeth bared and a growling hiss - they feck off with their tails between their legs!!!

He's never kicked one - but he does grab them by the neck and gives them a good shake if they don't take the warning :)

That said, I've also seen him being really careful and patient with some dogs - especially the short sighted basset hound who decided his leg was a tree.
 
Hobbitpony said:
Do you think there is a possibility walkers have been feeding her, which might have also wound her up?
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Mmmm, there is a distinct possibility that someone has been feeding them. Might also explain why my older mare has never looked so fat! Yet something else to mention in letter to rag. I will def say that the horses have medical problems and might die, as I am sure I would be ignored otherwise. BTW I do have £10M of liability insurance.
 
brucea said:
Out top field is about 100 yards off the forrest path and we get the odd out of control dog jumping the walls in with or guys.

They don't do it again! The big ginger guy has zero tollerance of gobby dogs. I've never heard a horse actually hiss before I got this one - one look at his ears back, teeth bared and a growling hiss - they feck off with their tails between their legs!!!

He's never kicked one - but he does grab them by the neck and gives them a good shake if they don't take the warning :)

That said, I've also seen him being really careful and patient with some dogs - especially the short sighted basset hound who decided his leg was a tree.
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Excellent :D
 
Toraylac said:
Yes I have a footpath that bisects the field. I am looking at electric fencing the path on both sides but this doesn't stop the dam dogs running in to the field. I have even had loose dogs run in to our school when we riding our mare. The owner couldn't understand why I lost my rag!!!!!!!!!!!!
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A tip from one who has experienced the issue.

Double tape and electrify the full length of the public foorpath, ensuring that dog access is prevented by a shock.
It quickly leads to doggy owner learning to control the yelping puppies!
 
Be careful about moving the path the ramblers whine like hell if you dare bypass the path around the edge of the field (Logical)instead if straight across!
At my old place we had a FP cuting through our garden so my father moved it (with permission)30' the other side of the fence.
When they dissected the farm with a B***** motorway feeder road we started getting more walkers (Obviously determined to have their "rights" just to be pig headed.One day I had a visit from the council saying a school teacher walking a class of kids complete in unsuitable attire had been forced to walk through a muck heap!!!!
I pointed out that the FB did not go anywhere near the muck heap but the other side of the fence and had been that way for over 30yrs!!!!! He agreed but I never got an apology.
 
Pedantic said:
3 strands of leccy wire, bottom to zap dogs, middle to zap kids and top to zap the rest of the ignorant *******s.
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Pahahahah! :D

Is it attached to the mains?

To OP - Not being funny but - the owner of that field, the one who has a footpath running through it, has the reponsibility of fencing it off and making it safe for walkers.

I would put the ball back in her court. You've done nothing wrong and neither has your mare.

p.s. I think that busybody woman is just looking for trouble... bored housewife???
 
I agree use an electric fence but keep the horses one side of it ( easy to move it three & a half meters to graze the other side later) and make your own electric fence notices that state;-

Caution Electric Fence!

This fence is for the safety of the horses.
Unauthorised feeding may cause medical problems.
Dogs must be on leads.

Writing to the paper as above is good too.

I got a complaint about using electric fences with not warning signs some years ago. I asked the council bod to show me where I should put signs as the electric tape nearest the bridle way was two fixed fences and 30 yards away from the path.
The rule is a meter from the edge of the path so it can't be brushed against by accident.
 
Hi

Not read any of the other responses but read about this in the Duffield newsletter (I am assuming you are from there?) I couldn't believe someone had written in! Seemed very unfair to me, I would have come and spoken directly to you and worked something out. I understand that horses can be very frightening to none horsey people but I am unsure what they hoped to achieve by writing in to the newsletter.

Would it be practical to electric fence off a path round the edge of the field and leave a sign at either enterance explaining that your horse is frightened of dogs? Either that or getting your mates to walk dogs through the field until she becomes use to them!

I can't imagine she is any worse than the shire horses on the footpath up Cumberhills who have bounded over to us and our dogs many times. A ton of shire horse prating around in front of you is pretty intimidating and not seen any one publicly complaining about them!
 
wispagold said:
Hi

Not read any of the other responses but read about this in the Duffield newsletter (I am assuming you are from there?) I couldn't believe someone had written in! Seemed very unfair to me, I would have come and spoken directly to you and worked something out. I understand that horses can be very frightening to none horsey people but I am unsure what they hoped to achieve by writing in to the newsletter.

Would it be practical to electric fence off a path round the edge of the field and leave a sign at either enterance explaining that your horse is frightened of dogs? Either that or getting your mates to walk dogs through the field until she becomes use to them!

I can't imagine she is any worse than the shire horses on the footpath up Cumberhills who have bounded over to us and our dogs many times. A ton of shire horse prating around in front of you is pretty intimidating and not seen any one publicly complaining about them!
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Bang on right! I couldn't believe it when I opened up Duffield Scene. I was so shocked I actually phone the woman and asked why she hadn't contacted me at all. She made the excuse that she didn't know who owned them!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely going to look at fencing round the edge of the field but as other posts have said, even that will cause a right fuss, People just don't want me to have the horses here :mad: Thanks for your support!
 
Some folks nowadays have no real contact with animals - so a horse is a big scary thing and they just can't cope, and whatever comon sense they might have had which would have enabled them to cope quickly drains through the soles of their shiny Brasher boots.:)


Horses KNOW who they can push around, and walkers in their fields are fair game :D
 
Toraylac said:
Bang on right! I couldn't believe it when I opened up Duffield Scene. I was so shocked I actually phone the woman and asked why she hadn't contacted me at all. She made the excuse that she didn't know who owned them!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely going to look at fencing round the edge of the field but as other posts have said, even that will cause a right fuss, People just don't want me to have the horses here :mad: Thanks for your support!
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Shocked! I would have been really upset if it was me. We have had horses in duffield for over 15 years and most people are alright. Maybe you could write into the Duffield scene and explain your side of the story that she is easily frightened and how walkers could react to help not scare her, keep their dogs on a lead etc. People probably don't know how to act in a situation like that.

I love driving seeing the horses in the fields as I drive round, don't let one daft person get to you. I hope it all gets sorted out.
 
Oh....and I forgot to mention it - but I am sure Pedantic will agree with me

When you set up your electric fence, you'll find the latch on the walker's gate very convenient for tying off the electric tape to. You must make a neat job after all.

;)
 
brucea said:
Oh....and I forgot to mention it - but I am sure Pedantic will agree with me

When you set up your electric fence, you'll find the latch on the walker's gate very convenient for tying off the electric tape to. You must make a neat job after all.

;)
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How wicked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
 
jendie said:
It might be difficult to bisect your field with a walkway but couldn't you make a 'bypass' around the edge of the field? I own dogs so appreciate the needs of dog walkers but to allow a dog to run free iin a field of horses is ridiculous. Dogs can do so much damage, either with their teeth or by frighteing the horses into bolts where they can injure themselves.
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Sorry, it this is a marked public right of way that runs across the field you cannot just chose to reroute it round the boundary. I know it makes sense to do this but you can't. My friend has spent nearly 10 years getting a footpath across their land rerouted by about 200 metres.
 
Brilliant idea to get the footpath guy out for a visit. I believe footpaths should be a specific width so check that and make sure you give the walkers at least that or they will complain (again). Netting/stock fencing is a great idea and signage if it is electric plus lots of other signage. Explain to the footpath officer that you are worried about the dogs harrassing your horses and causing them injuries and also fed up of clearing up the dog mess in your fields! I really feel for you it must be so frustrating.
 
I haven't read all the replies so someone else might have already said this. Don't put up a sign, saying 'beware of the horse' that would mean that you were admitting liability. Instead put up a 'please keep your dog on a lead' sign.
I would put sheep in the field. That immediately puts the onus onto the dog owner to keep it under control and if they don't you are allowed to shoot the dog. You probably wouldn't want to do that but the threat might make the owners think twice.
 
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