Should dogs be banned at major events? What do competition riders think?

If you polled top level event riders I would put good money on them saying NO to banning dogs. They bring their own dogs to events it's part of the lifestyle. BUT we should give stewards the power to ask people with over excited, aggressive or badly behaved dogs to leave.

I was at jump 15 on the far side of the water at Blenheim when the dog (Irish Water Spaniel) got loose. It was an elderly gentleman using an usuitable lead for such a large, strong dog. The horse completely ignored the dog but it was scary to watch because the dog was so close as the horse came down the hill that it could have tripped over it. Even more scary was that the rather dashing spectator who wrestled it to the ground failed to notice that he was on the landing side of the next jump! He only just moved in time.

At the end of the day animals are unpredictable, horses as well as dogs. We love them and accept this about them because we know life is better with than without them.
 
BronsonNutter said:
I think extendable leads should be banned, after nearly getting wiped out by a westie running in front of me at Burghley on an extendable lead whilst I was rushing to get some event grease before the rider went XC - somebody a bit less agile (eg. old lady) or paying less attention to where they were going could well have ended up flat on their face. Also, those kinds of leads break far too often - if I had my way everything would have to be in a correctly fitted collar/harness with a clip on short lead, or a sliplead and collar.
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I thought extendable leads were banned? Haven't seen one at an event for ages, absolutely stunned that someone was using one at Burghley! Personally, I feel too guilty leaving the dogs behind. They hate being farmed out to strangers or shut up for too long. Life would be difficult if they were banned.
 
I think dogs are part of eventing life and would hate to see them banned. I love seeing all the dogs at big events but then I am quite besotted with dogs in general. I agree re: the fines and dogs being kept on leads and having been chased XC by a terrier myself I agree that there are people out there who really need to be more careful!
 
Ban IMO. Dont feel they need to be there and they're dangerous. Even those in control of their dogs, often one can get loose and then cause mayhem. Most dog owners also seem to believe ALL other horsey people have dogs, so they'll merrily let their dogs on leads get way too close to my horse for example (who aren't used to them!). Its a shame for the dogs also getting dragged round hot events all day. And no I dont own a dog, but even if I did I wouldn't take it to an event!
 
Dogs always look bloody miserable at big horsey events IMO. And we always leave ours at home when we go, simply because they'll be a nuisance to us and to others- it's so crowded and noisy and hot, how can you possibly think it's any better than them having the run of the house for a day?! Does no one on here work?
 
Ban them bar guide dogs.
Unfortunately having witnessed countless loose dogs one day there is going to be a nasty accident. Worse incident was at Weston Park Int, where a terrier followed a horse and rider down the hill round the loop and all the way to the coffin :eek: Unbelievable and just confirms my view they should be banned before someone/horse gets seriously hurt.
 
Henley Rider said:
I thought extendable leads were banned? Haven't seen one at an event for ages, absolutely stunned that someone was using one at Burghley! Personally, I feel too guilty leaving the dogs behind. They hate being farmed out to strangers or shut up for too long. Life would be difficult if they were banned.
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I saw several! Never heard anything about them being banned, although they may well be - in which case it needs policing better (perhaps checks on gates for dogs with suitable leads, and any found with 'banned' leads should be given a slip lead for the day?) and the public being made more aware of the rule, if this is the case!

I guess I'm quite lucky in that my dog is used to staying at home alone when everyone is off at work/school/uni, or that someone else is in (generally the unhorsey male members of the family!) if we do want to go and watch some eventing.
 
I'm a bit on the fence about this. I have had an incident whilst riding XC at a BE event, when a woman was oblivious (due to being turned the other way and being on the phone)to the fact her terrier on the end of a very long extendable lead, was walking in the middle of the combination fence I had just turned to jump (she was out of the way, pity she didn't look out for her dog). I yelled, she jumped about a mile, as did the fence judge who was also oblivious. Doy was yanked unceremoniously out of the way, and my horse missed being tripped up by an invisible trip wire and terrier by about half a second. I admit to shouting some colourful language at her as I landed!

However to ban dogs entirely would be a huge shame. I don't tend to take mine to big events as I do feel it is so busy they won't really enjoy it, but do take one when I am eventing myself. I do feel dogs are part of the equine scene, and it would be a shame to loose that (me and my Mum thorougly enjoyed choosing the dog we would most like to take home at Burghley!).

I guess I would like to see dogs allowed, but with some very strict rules. Dogs must be on leads at all times and in all areas of the showground. Leads should have a maximum length, and certainly not extendable. All dogs should be attatched to an adult via said lead (I have seen so many kids getting pulled over by the family labrador!). Huge fines if your dog gets loose (dog impounded until the fine is paid), and if it has chased a horse the dog owner should have to make a face to face apology to the rider/owner, and be thoroughtly named and shamed over the tannoy! I like the idea of having to pay an entry fee for your dog. Prehaps you should get given a couple of poo bags, a list dog rules and a map showing locations of the poo bins and water points? I also think stewards should have the authority to make people with yappy dogs move on if they are being a nuisance.
 
A dog entrance fee getting you a doggy bag with poo bags, a map and a list of rules does sound sensible, as does checking all dogs coming in for suitable leads/handlers.

As for banning dogs from shopping areas vs banning pushchairs/gaggles of slow moving people - pushchairs and gaggles of people are easier to see, generally don't tangle themselves round your legs and are unlikely to ***** on your feet.
 
Maesfen said:
I don't see the problem myself of leaving dogs at home. You have stables after all, it's easy enough to put a dog bed in there with a bucket of water and know the dog will be safe and happy, it's not like they have to be shut in a house with no way of having a wee.
If competitors must bring their dog then they should be the same as everyone else and keep it on a lead which is a rarity around here.
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What about 3 day events - you can't keep farming your dogs out to other people. Plus keeping a dog in all day is cruel, especially for dogs that are used to being active during the day. Definately shouldn't ban dogs from events but stewards do need to be more empowered to tackle spectators that do not have control of their dogs - kick them off site for goodness sake.
 
Lolo said:
Dogs always look bloody miserable at big horsey events IMO. And we always leave ours at home when we go, simply because they'll be a nuisance to us and to others- it's so crowded and noisy and hot, how can you possibly think it's any better than them having the run of the house for a day?! Does no one on here work?
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Where do your dogs wee and poo? Don't they chew things? My dogs love going to shows. Though I have to admit, one time I came back to the horsebox and they were howling for me. Embarrassing!
 
Mine come with me to events. All 3 of them as its a long day and I am not leaving them for that long!. I am hugely in favour of a big fine for off lead dogs though. I never needed to be given doggy poo bags or water as I bring my own, but hey appreciate the thought. Maybe ban dogs from the tradestands on XC day when it's heaving? I certainly give up shopping unless at the very end or very early..I have 3 staffords and at events, for safety sakes, they wear a harness which they cannot wriggle out of plus their collar, (that is the only time they wear harnesses) I do take extendable leads for when we are right out on the course and away from crowds but everywhere else, normal leads. The dogs enjoy the day, they enjoy the attention they get and i dont have to worry about them at home. I really missed seeing dogs at Grreenwich as well as dogs for me are part and parcel of the whole eventing scene. I am sorry that a minority of irresponsible owners cause such havoc but the vast majority are well behaved and under control ..
 
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Henley Rider said:
What about 3 day events - you can't keep farming your dogs out to other people..
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99% of people spectating at events go for just the one day - and those that camp over are rarely the problem as they tend to be more aware of the dangers of loose dogs, in my experience. If they were banned at three days, and leaving the dog with family/friends was a problem (my Grannie loves having him; I think she wants to own him!) and you really wanted to camp, then there are plenty of boarding kennels about, or dog sitters.

Henley Rider said:
Where do your dogs wee and poo? Don't they chew things?
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No more than they do if you leave them at home if you work 9-5... Or I know of plenty of people who leave their dog in a dog run in the garden all day, every day, which works really well.

ETA: I am not pro-banning dogs btw, just thinking of ways people could cope if needs be :)
 
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I was at the water jump when the dog got loose. In my opinion it was too far behind the horse to have caused the refusal. In fact the person trying to catch it when they re prosented could have caused more trouble but that didn't seem to put the rider off.
I would gladly pay an entrance fee for my dog ( maybe proceeds could go to a dog charity)
 
Henley Rider said:
What about 3 day events - you can't keep farming your dogs out to other people. Plus keeping a dog in all day is cruel, especially for dogs that are used to being active during the day. Definately shouldn't ban dogs from events but stewards do need to be more empowered to tackle spectators that do not have control of their dogs - kick them off site for goodness sake.
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We have 3 Springers, so know a bit about mad dogs needing a lot of exercise! However, people around us are happy to take them on a few walks each day (they're well behaved, so people are very happy to!) and we leave radios and things on. All good... Happens once or twice a year, hardly traumatic for them.

I think event riders dogs are slightly different- they tend to be kept behind the scenes, so cause fewer issues.
 
They are so annoying at burghley round the shops. I love dogs but feel sorry for them being walked into and dragged round shops. Burghley has turned into more of a whose got the cutesy puppy contest than about the horses themselves.

Also the woman walking round burghley in patent boots and three chiwawaus in diamante collars, seriously sort it out love. Even I wouldn't do that!!
 
I can see this from both sides really.

I do think they should be baned from shopping areas and that introducing an entry fee for dogs and massive fines for anyone whose dog gets loose or causes disruption would help a great deal.

Maybe the solution is to ban dogs belonging to spectators at events as I can see why a competitor might wish to bring their dogs rather than put them into kennels or leave them home alone overnight etc.
 
Tough one, this !

At places like Burghley where they have a specific dog creche, they should be allowed ONLY around the trade areas but NOT on the course. (Mind you, I had a bull mastif stick its nose in my face when I sat down for an icecream break and whilst it didnt scare me, my Mum nearly had heart failure !). I dont think taking dogs to large spectator events such as Burghley, badminton or Blenheim is fair on the dogs. The number of frightened dogs I saw in the melle of legs and feet at and between fences this year is heartbreaking. I also trod on a couple of paws myself =0(

If there isnt a creche then I dont think large events should accept dogs through the gates. Those dogs accompanying with riders and connections can be kept in the lorry park but that is all.

Yes, countryside events attract folk and pooches but alot of the people walking about with dogs this year didnt look like they'd ever been to an event before (you can tell by the footwear IMO) and the poor dogs didnt know if they were coming or going.

Not to mention the chances of some poor dog being left in the car without the chance of being spotted by some passer by at the back of a car park for 1000+ cars.
 
Bestdogdash said:
If you think it ok to leave a dog on its own locked up in a stable from 6.00am til 8.00pm (my standard event day) the you really shouldn't have a dog. If I have to explain it to you, you really should have a dog. Try a cat!
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Knowing Maesfen this has me in absolute stitches!!!
What a ridiculous thing to say, my dogs stay at home when I go to horse things because they are going to find it stressful. A dog will be fine left in a stable for a day or 'shock horror'
a day and a night if need be.
 
I find it odd that people are saying dogs hate going to big events. More likely people hate the dogs being there!! My dog absolutely loves going to Badders every year. I can honestly say I don't see all these miserable dogs everyone is talking about and frankly feel that if we carry on banning dogs from here and there it won't be long before you can't take them anywhere. My dog goes to work with me everyday (office based) comes to the yard with me, on holiday with me and pretty much everywhere else I can take her. She is used to be around people and other dogs (and horses) and as such is well behaved and socialised.

I do agree that loose dogs are a big issue that needs to be tackled but don't think a total ban is necessary.
 
My dogs love these days out too!!! They are JRT's and get SOOOOOOO excited when they see their harnesses...... They only time they wear them are Events and County shows and they can hardly contain themselves.......

I never go in the shopping area because as much as I'd like a bargain I wouldn't subject my dogs to that....

I take poo bags, water and some nibbles for them and in no way are they ever "distressed" (which goes for the majority that I see too)!

When I am competing they cannot get into the lorry quick enough!! They are tied outside whilst I groom/tack up/eat picnic etc but when I go to ride they are shut inside where they have food and water and windows slightly open.

For most of these things I go alone but hey I don't mind as my dogs are GREAT company and you always get chatting to a few people but I for one certainly wouldn't go to Badders/County shows etc if I couldn't take my dogs as then I really would be a billy-no-mates.......would like to insert a red face here but have no idea how too :)

Ban them from the trades stands yes and hefty fines for any loose dogs. That wouldn't affect me or the MAJORITY of dog Owners as we are the responsible one's so please just aim at the minorities as before we know it we won't be able to do anything that is fun anymore :(
 
Rafferoo said:
I find it odd that people are saying dogs hate going to big events. More likely people hate the dogs being there!! My dog absolutely loves going to Badders every year. I can honestly say I don't see all these miserable dogs everyone is talking about and frankly feel that if we carry on banning dogs from here and there it won't be long before you can't take them anywhere. My dog goes to work with me everyday (office based) comes to the yard with me, on holiday with me and pretty much everywhere else I can take her. She is used to be around people and other dogs (and horses) and as such is well behaved and socialised.

I do agree that loose dogs are a big issue that needs to be tackled but don't think a total ban is necessary.
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Agree with this.
I thought it was odd that people mentioned miserable dogs too. Haven't noticed that myself. Dogs at these events have a great day and we are continually stopped by people asking about our Border terrier, who adores promoting his breed, (or himself :p)
Dogs are not so precious that they can't manage a summers day out with the family. It would be a very strange dog that chose being home alone rather than being out adventuring with his people.
I really enjoy seeing other dogs who are owned by outdoor families and who generally have a very commonsense approach.
 
I think charging an entry fee is a good idea, to make it really work it could include free entry to the doggie creche and free use of doggy comfort stations (strategically located water, poo bags, poo bins, etc). You could be given rules and tips when you pay and could be checked to ensure that your dog has a suitable lead and collar/harness.
 
See previous posts about my dog.... he would have hated going to any horse event/county show. He would have got hot and grumpy, and either have bitten someone, or picked a fight with another dog.

He was far happier at home, nice and cool in his bed in the house, or in his kennel.
 
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