My horse killed my best friends dog, I need some advice :(

How awful for you all. My horse will put up with all sorts of things from dogs when out hacking. He is also ok with them in my field along the road. However in the field at the back of my house he is very territorial. I have seen him chase a dog, my neighbours cat and also a rabbit.
Sadly for your friend I think she will realise she should not have let them mix.
 
My own dog got kicked by one of mine when he was a pup. Just a stupid accident that should never have happened as my dog shouldnt have been loose around the horses :( He never bothered them, he just moved too quick behind one, one day. Lesson learnt, no dogs near horses EVER again! There was also an incident with my bombproof safe old cob. 110% around dogs, including them snapping at his heels when we were riding. My friends terrier went into the field one day and was just mooching about, the old cob charged over and tried to stamp on him with his front feet. The only thing that saved the terrier was my old boy being to old and arthritic to do what he intended. It was pretty scary to see! But would have been totally my friends fault and there would have been no talk of selling anything! If a dog get hurt/injured by a horse, its the owners fault sadly
 
Harsh but MHO, None of my horses would be going anywhere if this happened. You are massively over reacting. It was an accident or a one off event, her dog should not have been loose around your horse. Tragic and Sad but such extreme measures are not needed.
 
Horrible situation, but I too think you'd be mad to rehome your horse because of the incident ! the dog should not have been near the horse, and your friend will have to accept responsibility - understandably she won't want to, as that makes it much harder to cope with. Horses just react by instinct and are easily spooked . I have experienced a similar situation, my horse was in the field and my friend's dog ran out in the field, and ran around my horses legs. The horse had never kicked anything before, and never has since! but she just reacted and kicked out, hit the dog square in the head and it went flying through the air. As it turned out, the dog was fine and had his teeth kicked out and a badly broken jaw but he survived- a slightly different angle on the kick and it could have easily killed him! My friend and his family were completely fine and said it was totally their fault for letting the dog in the field.

If I was your friend , i'd feel awful if you rehomed your horse over that! and if she wants you to sell your horse, that is incredibly selfish and just a way to ease her conscience (i'm not saying she is doing that btw- just waffling on, don't read that in a nasty way :o ) , but i'd assume she does not want you to do that! It's just a very unfortunate case of "these things happen", you can't go back and change it now, no point adding more grief and hassle where it is not needed. Hope you work it out
 
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Sorry but another who agrees that it is your friend who will have to get over this rather than you getting rid of your horse! Horses and small dogs are never going to be a great mix - one misplaced hoof easily has the potential to be fatal- so she was taking a great risk allowing the dog to be so close and you were not there to intervene. Even more so if in field - my gelding will actively go after a dog in his paddock. He will tolerated the dogs around the yard but they are never without close supervision then anyway.
 
Very sad, like everyone above I wouldn't sell him over this - accidents happen especially around horses.

My dog got in with my new ish horse and chased him around barking ! My horse really turned on him (totally justifiably) and was really going for him, I tried to get in and catch the dog - until I spotted that I was the one slowest and hence most likely to be seriously injured! The horse is totally fine with dogs and certainly not aggressive to people at all but he ment business! and there have been no ill effects since - other than I'm being ultra careful not to let dogs out when I am turning out !

My friend fell off a horse of mine and broke both bones in her lower leg, she was still on crutches a year later, lost a fortune as she couldn't work and 3 years later just about riding again - I will never truly forgive myself but he just did horse stuff and it's a risk we take.
 
WelshD said:
Your friend needs to take some responsibility. if you let dogs mingle with horses there is always the chance of something happening, even an inncocent spook while tied up could kill a small dog.

Do leave it a few days for the worst of the upset to be over then broach the subject with your friend - a true friend would not want you to rehome your horse over this and IMHO is not the way to make things better
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Agree with this ^^^ I have had my own dog kicked so badly by a horse that I thought he was dead, it took him 6 months to recover fully. Firstly I didn't want the horse got rid of, he was a colt, my dog should not have been in the field, I was feeding and I didn't realise he had jumped out the car to join me. He was actually running out of the field as I had spotted him and told him to get out, the colt saw him and went to play, he chased him and went with his front feet. It was not mailicious, it was just a horse being a horse.
Another incident that really made me think that people really need to open their eyes to the situations they put their dogs in. At a livery yard I was at, a dog was killed by a horse, the old guy who owned the dog was walking across the field as he does every day with no bother and the horse started to pester them, he could be like that, anyway in the end the dog got smashed in the face and its jaw broken badly. The owner of the horse was not told so she didn't get upset. I am now of the opinion that dogs and horses in a field are a really bad mix no matter how used to each other they are. I suppose it is not until you see it all go wrong then you can't understand just how dangerous it is. I, for one, will never ever let my dog loose in a field with horses and tend not to take him up the yard at all and if he does go he is tied up well away from any hooves. My own horse is an ex-hunt horse, he is very good with dogs whilst mounted but once you get off him, he is a whole different kettle of fish and I have seen him chase and lash out at dogs running loose while people poo pick, they were oblivious of the danger.
 
It sounds as though you are doing what you think is best for your friendship - which is understandable. However, I think it will take her time to process, to grieve and to get her head around that. If you sell your boy that will not make it any quicker for her to recover, as a previous poster has said she will no doubt feel more guilty. Hang fire, support her with her horse and be there for her away from the yard if you can. Awful situation all round.
 
I'm sorry for your troubles, and I think you two need to get together ASAP before it all becomes a bit awkward,and have a good hug and bawl your eyes out and chew it over. It's better to talk about these things.

Our home bred filly killed our terrier a few years ago... Catalogue of disasters where flying ants were sending the horses mad and they'd broken through the fencing we were caring for a friends blind dog so we're looking to her more than our own dogs... Dog was in long grass and possibly took the filly be surprise and she stamped on her, both front feet, the terrier died later that evening. Awful, so I know how it feels, easier for us as they were both our animals.
 
It's good that your friend doesn't want you to sell your horse, and I hope she is OK soon. However, I'm not sure why your first reaction is to sell/loan your horse, surely just moving yards would be easier?
 
So sorry for your friend and for you too, i am sure the guilt you must be feeling right now is awful. However, dogs are wolves to horses, if your horse is a colt then his reaction could be seen as a natural one. Most horses mature with that instinct suppressed because they 'get used to' being tolerant of dogs by repetition. It sounds like reading your posts that the dog got in the field with your horse, if that's the case then i'm not completely surprised this has happened.

I know that i couldn't completely trust my horse not to do the same thing in that situation.

Arrange to meet with your friend in neutral territory, take a box of tissues and a big bar of chocolate, both have a good cry and then she needs to take some responsibility and move on. It's not about blame.

Big hugs.
 
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Really difficult one this but in mho you and your friend need to talk about this as it is an animal to animal issue and neither of you are at fault. I have had a dog very badly hurt by friends horse - he survived but was always very lame. I took him into the field and horse attacked him, previously fine with dogs of all types. I was obviously upset but could never have held her responsible as both horse and dog were loose. The only reason he survived was because the ground was really soft.
 
So sorry for you, what a horrible, horrible situation you are in. All I can say is that if I were your friend and had lost my dog I would feel 100x worse about the situation if it meant you lost your boy as well. I would hate for my friend to lose their horse because I lost my dog. If your friend is horsey and doggy then I'm sure she will understand that accidents happen and that no one was really to blame. You need to sit down , talk to her and let her know how bad you are feeling about the situation. That way you can probably work out a solution which would be best for both of you and for your friendship x
 
A horrible situation for you both and I'm guessing that you are both teenagers. It is natural for teenagers to become extremely emotional about such things but actually I think that your friend needs to gather herself together and get back to the yard to care for her own horse. She is not helping the situation by reacting in this manner. Unfortunately life does sometimes throw us what the Americans call 'curveballs' and wallowing in our misery gets us no-where.
Hopefully this will have been a lesson learned for all concerned - NEVER allow a loose dog around horses.
We used to have a gelding who stamped on rats if they got into his stable, we had to move at least one 'pressed rat' every winter. A friend had a hunter which killed a litter of kittens, when they started crawling around his stable. That is what horses do, it is an instinctive reaction to small animals round their feet.
My advice is to do nothing for at least a month and see how you feel then.
 
Very, very sorry for what has happened, sounds horrendous. However I agree that these things can happen!

My horse is a doll around dogs on the yard, out hacking, even ones snapping at him. But a loose dog went into his field once and I swear if he'd have caught it he'd have killed it - front feet were flying, he looked like a demon. Gave my friend and her dog a shock!!! Dog never went loose in field again. I've also watched my lad do it with foxes.

Any loose dog in a field with loose horses is at risk as you have no control over either dog or horse.

So please don't blame your horse, he is no monster.
 
Horrid thing to have happened, but sorry the person at fault is the person who put the dog and horse in that position.

I can't for the life of me understand why you would now want to get rid of the horse.
 
amymay said:
Horrid thing to have happened, but sorry the person at fault is the person who put the dog and horse in that position.

I can't for the life of me understand why you would now want to get rid of the horse.
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I think the op spent all her horsey time with her best friend so moving the horse is a huge thing. That's how I read it. My first dog was my surrogate child and I totally get how awful both sides must feel I would gave been devastated.

So whilst it's tough I can see how I might loan my fairly new horse in order to keep my friend whilst we both get over the loss of the dog.

It's really hard, hugs op and friend, talk it through and do what you need to to get through I really feel for you.
 
My horse will kill a dog if it enters his field or stable. To me this is perfectly natural, I wouldn't sell him nor reprimand him for it. He is a perfect gent under saddle with all animals but his field and herd is his to protect.

As far as I'm concerned neither animal is at fault in your case, your friend is for letting her dog 'mooch' about within range of your horse. I wouldn't get rid of my horse to make someone who was at fault feel better.
 
Your horse acted in a totally natural way. He did nothing wrong. The dog shouldn't have been close to any horse especially if it is a small dog, and if it had to be then the owner should have kept it close to her. Where I live we have coyotes and if one ever dares come into my pasture fields all of my horses react in the same way, they will strike and pounce on strange dogs; it's normal. Having said all that, it is sad and I do feel for your friend. She has learned a lesson the hard way.
 
What a sad situation op, my sympathies to all involved. I agree with others that you should not have to move your horse on because of this.

We trained our dog to wait for us at the gate when we brought the horses in from the field and he was never allowed to just roam in there. He ventured into the field on his own once and was immediately chased by one of them. Luckily he was very speedy and so got away, but he never ever went in the field with them again. Horses cam be very territorial in their field, it's only natural.

When things are less raw, have a chat with your friend and give each other a hug. I'm sure she would feel worse if you lost your horse because of this situation :(
 
What a terribly hard and sad way to learn a lesson in life, that loose dogs and loose horses together can prove fatal for the dog. Most of us have done it and trusted them together at some point or another too and we've been mainly lucky to get away with it.

It is in the dog's nature to chase and be around the heels of a horse, it is in the horse's nature to strike out at a predator or kick if feeling threatened/chased.

Nothing to blame on the horse and no reason at all to rehome the horse.

Your friend may be feeling terrible that she let her dog loose that day. Such an awful way to lose a pet.

Be supportive for each other. I think the idea another poster said of the pair of you getting together over tea and biscuits or a bottle of wine to talk and cry with each other will be a massive help for both of you.

Gentle hugs to both of you.
 
So sorry to hear this. How awful for you both. My best friends horse killed my horse of a lifetime by kicking her in the field and breaking her hock. We got over it, although yes it takes time, there is always guilt on both sides. Be calm.
 
My horse killed a friend's dog when she let him run loose in the field, which was hers. I moved the horse straight away because I felt so bad about it, and she wasn't a 'best mates' friend and I never saw her again. I understand exactly how you feel, you know in your heart it's not your horse's fault but the guilt at causing your friend pain is really awful. I think you friend will also be feeling very guilty at causing your upset. Try to stave off any decision for three months, by loaning your horse maybe, and see how you both feel then.
 
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very sad all round. Your horse isn't bad though, he's just being a horse. My old horse was OK with dogs but a few yards where dogs were allowed to round him up/snap at his nose over the door and chase him in the field (not my dogs) and all tolerance went. The last dog that went in his field got a drubbing and was lucky to make it out-front feet and teeth. he also wouldn't tolerate them near him when tied up in the yard. My old YO sad he also saw him chase a fox out of the paddock. Both of my Exmoors have been known to raise a leg or snake their heads with dogs that get too close and tbh, I am glad of it-rather a horse that will not go into flight mode when it meets dogs out and about or one gets into their field.

losing any animal suddenly is traumatic, try not to make any rash decisions. Although feeling sad for your friend is understandable, your guilt is misplaced.
 
RedDevlin said:
You've all made me feel better. Thankyou. In one of her few short messages to me today she has said she doesn't expect me to sell him and he's my boy and she knows I love him. She is blaming herself wholeheartedly and its breaking my heart. She isn't coping and I don't know how or if she'll ever get over it. So she isn't guilting me into selling...I just don't know what's best. Its reassuring to know I don't have a monster pony though :(
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I think you just need to give her some time to come to terms with it. As desperately sad as it is for you both, horses and dogs are not a good combination and I will never have our littlies running around when the horses are out. It's a hard lesson to learn and I hope your friend feels happier soon.
 
Haven't read the all Replies but unfort things like this do happen...
I don;t think selling/loaning is the answer here but that is up to you.

I have never let R loose with horses as she means far too much to me to be put in unpredictable situation, so she has always stayed in the stable.

Sympathy to you and the Dog owner xx
 
I agree that selling your horse may not be necessary and that the horse is not to blame, although I would be more careful in future with dogs.

To put it into a little context - my horse kicked my friend's daughter who was aged 5. We were both at fault - I was leading my horse ahead of her and her daughter, with her own horse. We should both have thought about it and made sure the little girl wasn't anywhere behind a horse (although we were at least 10 feet in front - he went backwards to kick, I think at her horse, but I can't tell). He kicked her in the head. Thank goodness she was ok, and I still don't know how it didn't do more damage, but obviously there could have been any outcome. My first instinct after the dust settled was to sell him - my friend not only keeps her horse and ponies there, but also lives opposite and sees my horse out of her window all the time. To her credit she has never blamed my horse and (goodness knows why) he is her daughter's favourite despite what he did.

We talked about it extensively and I said that I was going to sell him; my friend told me not to be reactive and that it would be ok - which it now is. We learned some lessons of course. I hope yours comes to see things the same way.
 
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