Puppies and ponies!

[Dizzle]

When did you deem your puppy responsible enough to be off lead around the horses?

At my yard the rule is all dogs on lead in the yard, but in the fields they can go off lead.

My dog has been around horses since he was 8 weeks old and as far as he is concerned they are snorty things that need ignoring, he's been off lead whilst I've been hacking once and kept out of the way of the pony (and she likewise kept avoided standing on him).

All three horses are good with dogs and I don't think they'd deliberatly boot him but I'm always wary as he's a 10 month old terrier and they're all shod!

So, at what point do you have the dog loose when you're around horses?

I had him loose in the field on Saturday after a long walk, he came back from the other horse when I called him but was wondering around my horses feet (she doesn't mind, they both just have a good sniff of each other!)

He does do as he's told but at the end of the day he's a baby terrier so he can be prone to selective deafness!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Oz (JRT) was about 6 months, but his recall was good as was his heal. I only took him out when Poo picking, so I was keeping an eye on him. He is a typical terrier in that he doesn't know he is small and still to this day expects everything (including horses & tractors) to go round him! Amazing he has made it to 10yrs really!!

 

[Cinnamontoast]

At about 6 months, I think, until the pack mentality kicked in and they decided to pick on one. They have no real concept of danger and I'm too anxious so they're only off lead if I can keep a close eye on them.