Introducing young horse to dog

[Hanw1]

Hello

After tips / ideas / advice on how to introduced my yearling to a dog .... he has never been around dogs before.
He needs to be safe around them as his field has a walk way through and when a lady went through with her dogs earlier today he charged at them and kicked out with front leg (luckily didn’t catch the dog)

He is only young so just nosey and inquisitive ....

Thanks

 

[[145599]]

If he was just playing around a bit then I would get the dog on a lead and slowly approach it with the yearling. Slowly alow him to get used to the dog and if it is possible dangerous for the dog then I would do this a few times although keep them a safe distance untill he is uninterested and then you’re will know when the time is right to properly introduce them. Hope this helps?

 

[Arzada]

Hello

After tips / ideas / advice on how to introduced my yearling to a dog .... he has never been around dogs before.
He needs to be safe around them as his field has a walk way through and when a lady went through with her dogs earlier today he charged at them and kicked out with front leg (luckily didn’t catch the dog)

He is only young so just nosey and inquisitive ....

I would not view a horse as nosy and inquisitive if I was the person on the receiving end of a charging horse which also struck out. I would see it as a charging horse striking out. I would consider myself to be at risk of serious injury.

 

[MissTyc]

Most of ours are either born on the yard or arrive dog safe so we've never had a problem, but when we got a little colt in 2018, he arrived with a real foul attitude towards dogs. It doesn't help that my terrier has a real attitude towards horses with an attitude (because he's secretly scared of them if they run at him - FAIR ENOUGH!!!). I decided to go with passive introduction. Both on "lead" and walking up the yard together with lots of positive rewards,then walking around the lanes and slowly getting the horse used to the dog being in front, behind, beside, etc .... It didn't take long to make the dog "boring" and now they ignore each other, mostly ...

That said, a LOOSE dog running in the field is fair game for many young horses, unfortunately, and it might be necessary to somehow section off the footpath until your horse has matured a bit. I wouldn't trust my youngster not to accidentally leap on the dog even in "jest" . I know many dogs that have been injured by friendly horses and I don't like loose dogs around loose horses.

 

[be positive]

I would not view a horse as nosy and inquisitive if I was the person on the receiving end of a charging horse which also struck out. I would see it as a charging horse striking out. I would consider myself to be at risk of serious injury.

This is a difficult one, if a footpath crosses the field the horses must be safe and not go charging up to people, I have a footpath through one of my fields and always take care as to which horses are in it, it gets very little, maybe once a month max, use there is a sign saying dogs to be kept on leads and I would never put a young inexperienced pony out there just in case they were too interested, mine tend to look up but nothing else, apart from when the pack of hounds stray into the field then they have been seen to charge but that is acceptable in my view as they will not chase people walking.

I think you really need to fence off the path, put signs up to ask for dogs to be on leads and let your youngster get used to seeing them regularly from a safe distance, you can do some desensitising as well by taking him out to meet people, dogs and other every day aspects of life.

 

[[145599]]

I would not view a horse as nosy and inquisitive if I was the person on the receiving end of a charging horse which also struck out. I would see it as a charging horse striking out. I would consider myself to be at risk of serious injury.

I am pretty sure the horse was just being curious and wanting to play -like most young horses would. There is no reason to stop them unless it in causing a treat which is exactly what hanw1 is trying to do.

 

[Arzada]

I am pretty sure the horse was just being curious and wanting to play -like most young horses would. There is no reason to stop them unless it in causing a treat which is exactly what hanw1 is trying to do.

OK so let's assume the horse is 'playing'. I don't want to play the 'being charged and struck at game'. I don't imagine that many people would enjoy that game either.

 

[[145599]]

OK so let's assume the horse is 'playing'. I don't want to play the 'being charged and struck at game'. I don't imagine that many people would enjoy that game either.

The horse thinks it is a game though and it won’t be fun when someone or something gets hurt and that is why this person is wanting help to stop
It getting dangerous.

 

[Arzada]

it won’t be fun when someone or something gets hurt and that is why this person is wanting help to stop
It getting dangerous.

Exactly, that is my point. And BP has given excellent advice on how she handles such situations.

 

[[145599]]

Exactly, that is my point. AnAd BP has given excellent advice on how she handles such situations.

Yes, that was god advice she gave

 

[Hanw1]

I am pretty sure the horse was just being curious and wanting to play -like most young horses would. There is no reason to stop them unless it in causing a treat which is exactly what hanw1 is trying to do.

Thank you - your correct xxx
Just after advice lol!!

 

[Hanw1]

The horse thinks it is a game though and it won’t be fun when someone or something gets hurt and that is why this person is wanting help to stop
It getting dangerous.

Correct! Hence why I was asking for different views ... not unhelpful comments lol!!
Thanks again xx

 

[Hanw1]

This is a difficult one, if a footpath crosses the field the horses must be safe and not go charging up to people, I have a footpath through one of my fields and always take care as to which horses are in it, it gets very little, maybe once a month max, use there is a sign saying dogs to be kept on leads and I would never put a young inexperienced pony out there just in case they were too interested, mine tend to look up but nothing else, apart from when the pack of hounds stray into the field then they have been seen to charge but that is acceptable in my view as they will not chase people walking.

I think you really need to fence off the path, put signs up to ask for dogs to be on leads and let your youngster get used to seeing them regularly from a safe distance, you can do some desensitising as well by taking him out to meet people, dogs and other every day aspects of life.

Thank you very much for your advice !! Xx

 

[Hanw1]

Most of ours are either born on the yard or arrive dog safe so we've never had a problem, but when we got a little colt in 2018, he arrived with a real foul attitude towards dogs. It doesn't help that my terrier has a real attitude towards horses with an attitude (because he's secretly scared of them if they run at him - FAIR ENOUGH!!!). I decided to go with passive introduction. Both on "lead" and walking up the yard together with lots of positive rewards,then walking around the lanes and slowly getting the horse used to the dog being in front, behind, beside, etc .... It didn't take long to make the dog "boring" and now they ignore each other, mostly ...

That said, a LOOSE dog running in the field is fair game for many young horses, unfortunately, and it might be necessary to somehow section off the footpath until your horse has matured a bit. I wouldn't trust my youngster not to accidentally leap on the dog even in "jest" . I know many dogs that have been injured by friendly horses and I don't like loose dogs around loose horses.

Thank you very much for your advice xxx

 

[Hanw1]

If he was just playing around a bit then I would get the dog on a lead and slowly approach it with the yearling. Slowly alow him to get used to the dog and if it is possible dangerous for the dog then I would do this a few times although keep them a safe distance untill he is uninterested and then you’re will know when the time is right to properly introduce them. Hope this helps?

Thank you very much xx

 

[[145599]]

Correct! Hence why I was asking for different views ... not unhelpful comments lol!!
Thanks again xx

All good. Hope it helps?