Small dog breeds that suit the horsey lifestyle...

Easy rule. If you cannot control your dog off lead on foot, then don't even think about hacking with it. We started off with normal training, then walking out in short hack with me on foot to teach the dog where she should go then on short hacks on my bombproof old mare, and finally hack on young horse with another well trained dog. Too some effort but the dog is a joy to come out with us now. And as for the yard, we can have a LOT of dogs at times, and some are young and full if energy. We just use common sense and poop scoops! If someone is in the school and the play gets too much outside, dogs are put away. If energy levels are too much, dogs are put away again. Dogs are never left wandering around unsupervised except the YO dog who is there all the time and she attaches herself to my lot wheel I am there anyway! So here is a gratuitous shot of my 3!

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Terriers are great, they are such busy characters :)

I have a Welsh terrier, he is such a sporting little dog, doesnt shed hair, always on the go, great size, hardy and cheerful all the time. Love him to bits
 
My dachshund used to come out with me on my old pony, would leave the stable door open with some straw in the corner. She'd come with us for up to 3 hours (walk/sunday stroll type hack) and when she'd have enough she knew the way back and would go sleep in the stable till I came back. This was all on the YO's land so all fenced off from main roads and all in woodlands. She doesn't come out with me on my current boy as I don't trust him not to squash on her when having a hissy :D
 
wench said:
Mainly out hacking. You never know what may happen and trying to deal with a dog and horse at the same time is not a good mix.

As for the yard... Well that depends on the yard rules.
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elliefiz said:
Completely agree regarding the hacking, I've seen riders hacking locally with dogs they have no control over- one of the kids in the yard fell off after her pony was chased by a dog who was out with another rider.
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Well to be safe it does require a certain level of obedience! I am confident I can control my dog off lead in any situation, so no reason why he would not be safe with me riding. My horse is dog proof, I know 100% she would not kick him.

Hell I'll soon be hacking with my niece on a leadrein so responsible for a horse. a pony and a child and yes the dog will no doubt tag along................how will I cope!:rolleyes:
 
Borders are lovely & can trot for hours. Terriers are often a more wilfull breed however & harder to train esp when lots of potential prey may pop out on your hack. Not saying its not do able just harder. Seen nasty incidents with dogs & horses & leads. Last one v nasty & horse & rider cld have been seriously hurt but it was the poor dog that copped it after horse spooked landed on it & broke its leg :(
 
wish I could take my choccy lab to the yard. attempted once- off he trots into the nearest field to try and make horsey friends :rolleyes: oh and its lovely when he comes back with horse s**t in his mouth!!!
 
A friend has a Patterdale that she regularly goes for a 8 mile run with then a 6 mile hack. She never tires out, sometimes that isn't a good thing!
 
Min pins, i've got two and they are great little dogs. Big dogs in very small bodies, keep up with the horses and very trainable.

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This is what a min pin is if you didnt know.
 
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toffeeyummy said:
Patterdales!!! You can NEVER wear them out and they are excellent ratters! (but don't mix them with cats....)
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My old girls (Fern) a Patterdale x she is fab, and also 15 Years old this year still does 8 miles easy :D But was trained not to kill small fury things (we have pet rabbits and gerbils) and is very respectfull to cats :D

Also SCOTTIE DOG'S they'll never be at the front in a canter (very short legs :D ) but can go for miles and never get tired, or at least mine doesn't :)
 
I have to agree with Wench on this one, however I do think my JRT would love to come out hacking with me.

However, all that getting off and on again to clear up and then having to ride along with poo bags hanging off the saddle seriously puts me off...
 
wench said:
But you can never control any animal 100% - nor can you trust them 100%!
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But if you adhere to that, you would never do anything with your animals. You can greatly reduce risk by training and I love having my dog along. She is always deeply upset when we head into the school and not out of the yard!
 
Everyone brings their dogs to our yard (JRTs, Patterdale, Beagle and Boxer) and they have a fab time running around the yard and fields but there's no question of taking them on a hack. The roads are far too dangerous for a loose dog however obedient.

You are all very lucky to have places to hack out which are safe enough to take a dog.
 
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