Horse attacked dog

dominobrown

dominobrown

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My horse attacked my dog last night, even though they know each other inside out.
The dog was excited and barking in the field and normally the horses don't mind, but my horse went for my dog.
He stamped on her and bit the end of her tail off.
The dog is in the vets, has had a severe break to her hock and the tendon dislocated, she is also getting most of her tail off.
They are sending the x-rays to a specialist to see if it worth operating.
Like I said the horse and dog have known each other for about 10 years and are normally fine. My horse is normally good with hounds and the dog is normally very sensible around horses.
Not much point to this post really, just very upset.
 
I can't believe it really, he actually bit her tail off. If anyone has problems with dogs chasing their horses I could send you my horse. He normally just ignores the dog.
 
Firstly I hope your dog is ok
Secondly, could there have been a dog or dogs in the field without your knowledge upsetting/scring/attacking your horse and your dog barking set the horse off, even though your horse knows your dog if it had had a rogue dog chasing and scaring it round the field it may be trying to defend itself against any dog, including yours?
 
That's awful I hope your dog is Ok! My dog is the most submissive little guy and I keep a fence between him and all of the horses, but once he got under the fence while I was in poo picking and my partner was on the other side with him, he was just sniffing around the edge so didn't seem urgent, then suddenly my friend's gelding came past me and chased him with lowered head and ears back, it was very unexpected as the dog was far away minding his own business and the horse is the most soppy placid thing. Anyway I keep them well and truly separated now, not worth the risk :-(
 
I hope your dog recovers.

One of our dogs, an old spaniel, enjoys winding up one of our horses. They both seem to see it as a game - the dog runs at the horse, horse puts his head down, dog yaps or pretends to bite, dog runs, horse chases a couple of yards, then they turn round and repeat. The horse isn't stressed, and will actively seek the dog and initiate the game.
No other horse joins in, no other dog tries to play this way. However, I won't have this dog around at the horses feed time, or in the stable where he can't get away. After hearing your story, I might ban him from this horses field altogether:(
 
Cragrat said:
I hope your dog recovers.

One of our dogs, an old spaniel, enjoys winding up one of our horses. They both seem to see it as a game - the dog runs at the horse, horse puts his head down, dog yaps or pretends to bite, dog runs, horse chases a couple of yards, then they turn round and repeat. The horse isn't stressed, and will actively seek the dog and initiate the game.
No other horse joins in, no other dog tries to play this way. However, I won't have this dog around at the horses feed time, or in the stable where he can't get away. After hearing your story, I might ban him from this horses field altogether:(
Click to expand...

Mine used to do this - 2 dogs and 2 horses. They had been around each other since the the dogs were pups and the horses were 3 weeks and 18 months. The one day dog didn't get out of the way quick enough and took a blow to the head. He was out cold for about 5 minutes and carrying 35kg of lurched across 7 acres wasn't fun :(

Since this incident the horse now attacks any dog that goes in the field. I suspect that there was an incident with a strange dog that I didn't know about.

Dogs and horses loose together - never again , it's not worth it :(

OP - really sorry about your dog. I hope he makes a speedy recovery x
 
Thank you for the vibes. You never know what can happen. I haven't had an incident in nearly 10 years. Both horse and dog are older (14yrs and 12yrs) and I have had them all their lives. The 'specialist' vet has decided she is operable so she is going tomorrow morning.
Hopefully they will be able to 'fuse' her hock joint. She won't be able to go up to the horses' field again, but hopefully be able to potter around the garden.

Like I say its not in the horse's natural normally be he is protective over his mare so who knows?
 
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