Socialisation with dogs? Too late?

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scarymare

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Afternoon,

Very snowy here in Aberdeenshire. Just wondering if anybody has any experiences of socialising horses with dogs.

Basically we sadly lost our great danes about 3 years ago and I have subsequently bred and have youngsters at (2012) 3, 2, and 1. They have not been exposed or even seen really any dogs.

Got a new dog in July and both my foalies are great with him (cos their mums are) as are my riding horses. All have been socialised with dogs previously. When I attempt to walk him through field with the youngsters, they all 'turn' on him and act very aggressively, heads down and cantering at him. Obviously I'm careful and have taught him the 'go away' command. I make sure I do go into their field (all are together) but pretty much steer clear of them. Every time I get to close they just go on 'attack' mode. I'm just wondering if I am doing enough to cure this?

Any experience/idea welcome although I am not in a position to bring them into the yard/stable at present.
 
you could take one out at a time and do a bit of lead walking with both horse and dog (take a second person with you to walk dog) that way you socialise one at a time rather than as a herd who will defend each other. Never too late to do socialising.
 
Noels_Star_Chaser said:
you could take one out at a time and do a bit of lead walking with both horse and dog (take a second person with you to walk dog) that way you socialise one at a time rather than as a herd who will defend each other. Never too late to do socialising.
Click to expand...

Good idea. The 3 year old will be going in spring to get broken and I think she ring leads it. Certainly she is the only one who will 'go on her own' at him. Will try this, she could do with some handling now anyhow.
 
You could try putting a couple of dog friendly horses in there, then maybe they will pick up on their signals and realise that the dogs are not a threat?
 
How active is your dog? I'm assuming it doesn't attack the horses or is aggressive towards them?

I would just take the dog in the field with one horse in it and let them get on with it. Dogs are pretty smart at keeping out of the way normally -- after all, they've been avoiding herbivores for thousands of years!

After a while, the horses will give up chasing them. (It's too much like hard work!). My ponies are grazed in the dog run (1/2 acre). The dogs keep out of the way usually and they end up ignoring each other.

The pony on the left in the video is a Highland, on the right a Welsh. Note how the Welsh warns the dog not to take liberties!

[youtube]llLgWst3UlQ[/youtube]
 
My mare is fine with dogs in the yard when she is tied up or being ridden or led, but will try to take a bite if they wander past her stable and will chase them if loose in the field. I think some horses are just like that. Best thing would be to get your youngsters used to dogs in the yard rather than loose in the field when their aggressive or defensive instincts may kick in. I personally wouldn't let any of my four dogs in the field with loose horses.

Dry Rot - love your vid! What a tolerant pony.
 
No not late. I would persevere. Some horses like to play with dogs but it can get serious. ie I have known dogs stamp on dogs and my old boy was brilliant and dogs could walk under him. However puppy was chaced at100mph from one end of field all for a bit of fun.Puppy had no where to go(sheep fencing). I can tell you he kept away from my horse in the open field as just occassionally my horse thought it was good sport. Also I had taken dog and horse hacking and dog disappears and then reappears out of hedges scary?
Horse use to sniff my dog all the time and he always got nipped on the nose by the dog, every time.Thick horse!
But they do get use to each other, two way street. I think the dog is more at risk most of the time. A border collie who had been a cattle dog use to go and nip their heels and was fast as lightening, every time I thought she would be killed with a kick.(it can happen)! Good luck but worth it.
 
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