What to do? Loose dogs out hacking

Plus my horses are pretty damn well trained thank you I just WILL NOT PUT THEM AT RISK by going through two snappy barking dogs. A friend of mine has a horse who has had a nasty bite to her horse by a dog in a similar situation which has put paid to its ridden career. My horses have been through too much and are worth far to much to me to risk that sort of thing occurring !
 
Now, you've given us a bit more information, and the dogs are known to attack horses (presumably the hunters as well), I would most definitely contact the dog warden so that they can visit the premises.

happyhacking:) said:
Amymay you made an assumption that was wrong then
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Then where's the problem?
 
My friend lost her horse from being chased by two dogs the horse ended up galloping into a metal gate and broke her leg, is there an organisation that look after your bridleways? You could contact them and tell them the problem they are often happy to try and educate local dog owners, but in the meantime I would speak to the dog owners you dont have to argue just explain how dangerous the situation can be many of them are just ignorant to the dangers.

Most horses will react to dogs snapping and barking round there heals, we often used to shout really loud at them to go away sometimes works, and if the owner turns up I just say its for there own good as the horses kick often the owner will then make sure the dog is caught and put on a lead at that prospect.

Good luck and try to stay safe.
 
Tbh I don't know if the hunters have had a problem though they wouldn't tent to use his land as they have lots of their own off road tracks (most of which lead to good 'watering holes') which they would normally use first.
 
happyhacking:) said:
Tbh I don't know if the hunters have had a problem though they wouldn't tent to use his land as they have lots of their own off road tracks (most of which lead to good 'watering holes') which they would normally use first.
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So really, you don't know who rides where, how many horses pass through this farm, and make the assumption that anyone who rides to hounds needs a drink at any given opportunity......
 
happyhacking:) said:
Plus my horses are pretty damn well trained thank you I just WILL NOT PUT THEM AT RISK by going through two snappy barking dogs. A friend of mine has a horse who has had a nasty bite to her horse by a dog in a similar situation which has put paid to its ridden career. My horses have been through too much and are worth far to much to me to risk that sort of thing occurring !
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Have these dogs bitten then or do you think they might bite or perhaps they only bite horses that don't hunt or perhaps you assume people who hunt care for their horse less than you do.
The dogs fenced in what do you expect those owners to do not but the dogs in the garden in case you decide to pass .
If these dogs have bitten a horse talk to the dog warden, or just ride else where .
 
Also to add I dont think your dog should be off the lead if it runs or barks at any livestock, and certainly not if you cant get it to come back to you maybe people should train there dogs not train there horses, horses are flight animals and if they feel under attack will often flee from the danger.
 
happyhacking:) said:
Tbh I don't know if the hunters have had a problem though they wouldn't tent to use his land as they have lots of their own off road tracks (most of which lead to good 'watering holes') which they would normally use first.
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To give there horse a drink out hacking what are you talking about ?
 
Little Fat Pony said:
Thanks amymay, I agree, he is the sort that gets wound up and then just needs to release.

What kind of thing would I say to the owner? I'm nervous of being confrontational, but equally feel that I have to say something now, just not quite sure how.
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The best thing is to point out that it is an offence to allow a dog to be out of control in a public place. "Out of control" can even mean "Off the lead" (for example a dog which is off the lead on the highway is legally considered to be out of the handler's control). And a public place is anywhere that the public have a right to be, be it bridleway, footpath, road, park, etc.

Also point out that if you or your horse are injured by her dog's activities she will be held financially responsible for the costs of any medical and veterinary treatment and loss of earnings and your insurance company will pursue her, or her parents if she is a minor, for restitution. (This may not be totally accurate but she won't know that!)

No need to be confrontational. Just speak firmly as if you know are confident of your ground and that you know from whence you speak and make sure your body language supports your speech. Sit up straight if still on board or draw yourself up to your full height if standing.
 
The dog is a border collie - it was trying to herd your horse! I have two BC's, one has a very very strong herding instinct and cannot be trusted off the lead around horses, because she thinks her job is to herd them, she has a fantastic recall though so comes back as soon as I call when I see a horse.
It sounds like a recipe for disaster that a 15 year old is walking a border collie off the lead like that, as they need such strong leadership and control.
It may well be worth contacting the dog warden, as I'm sure the girl just needs advice before there is a big accident.
 
Pinkvboots said:
Also to add I dont think your dog should be off the lead if it runs or barks at any livestock, and certainly not if you cant get it to come back to you maybe people should train there dogs not train there horses, horses are flight animals and if they feel under attack will often flee from the danger.
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They flee from danger if they are badly trained or not training that's what training is for to produce a controllable riding horse .
Dogs are a normal hazard in the countryside as are peasants cars tractors lorrys combines ,herds of cows ( actually far more potentially dangerous than dogs by miles and miles ) washing blowing on lines I could go on and on.
 
As I'm fairly new to riding out on my own (OH not riding out with me often at the moment, but she thinks she's taught me enough for me to go out on my own safely :eek:), so I'm always interested in the 'legal' standpoint if something should happen to me or Little Lady when we're out on our own, especially if caused by the action or inaction of someone else (or their children, dog, motor vehicle, horse etc).

anyway - this kinda clarified it for me in this case.

https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview

The way I read that is;
1) It's illegal for a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place
2) It is considered dangerously out of control if someone is worried it could injure them.
3) A court could decide the dog is dangerously out of control if it injures your horse, or crucially if the owner of the horse thinks they may be personally injured if they try to stop the dog attacking the horse.
 
Peasants lol?
Neither of ours respond to dogs barking or snapping round legs in a dangerous manner. And I fail to see why dogs behind a fence are an issue at all.
 
Mugs said:
As I'm fairly new to riding out on my own (OH not riding out with me often at the moment, but she thinks she's taught me enough for me to go out on my own safely :eek:), so I'm always interested in the 'legal' standpoint if something should happen to me or Little Lady when we're out on our own, especially if caused by the action or inaction of someone else (or their children, dog, motor vehicle, horse etc).

anyway - this kinda clarified it for me in this case.

https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/overview

The way I read that is;
1) It's illegal for a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place
2) It is considered dangerously out of control if someone is worried it could injure them.
3) A court could decide the dog is dangerously out of control if it injures your horse, or crucially if the owner of the horse thinks they may be personally injured if they try to stop the dog attacking the horse.
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The key word in all this is in is point 3 the court COULD decide .
English common law is based on precedent you would have to look across similar past cases and see what view has been taken in the past.
 
I do see both sides as both a dog owner, a rider and someone who hacks out with one of her dogs. I have always found that a polite request to the owner to restrain their dog is met well, if they say "oh he/she is fine" I say I cannot guarantee my horse will not lash out if the dog nips. That always works.

As a matter of interest, if you don't have dogs, how would you dog proof your horse? both mine don't take any notice but I have my own horse proof dogs and could school both horse to accept them. It would also be fair to say that my younger horse was not a natural where dogs are concerned and it took quite a while for him to accept my dog. Not least of all because she runs in the woods next to the bridle path.
 
I don't have dogs, and have no idea what the 'dog' history of any of my horses was prior to purchase.

I just expect it not to be a problem - and it isn't. It's more about the rider really, than the horse.
 
Goldenstar said:
The key word in all this is in is point 3 the court COULD decide .
English common law is based on precedent you would have to look across similar past cases and see what view has been taken in the past.
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Yep - absolutely.

For the OP - it would be good to talk to the dog owner in a friendly manner about the issue especially the possibility of rider/ horse/ dog being injured. I'm sure she wouldn't want anything like that to happen either.
 
Please carry a hunting whip!

First train your horse so you can crack it off either side at a stand still

Then when a dog runs after your horse, stop face it and walk forwards towards the dog, you can then crack the whip if they do not stop. Finally if they still get close enough you can aim in their direction

If owners complain, you say you are scared to death that you horse will kick out and accidentally kill their dog and this is the best way to protect it, and hopefully make it think horses aren't very nice!
 
I am sorry but I dont care how well your horse is trained if there are two dogs barking and snapping at a horse it can easily go into panic mode trained or not so uncontrolable dogs are dangerous, if a horse thinks it will get bitten it wont just stand still because your asking it to it will want to get away.

At the end of the day pheasants and washing lines dont bite dogs do.
 
Get a Dazzer II from Amazon, it is high pitched sound you cant hear it, or the horse or the dogs owner, but the dog certainly can and it will slink away with its tail between its legs, the owner will wonder what had happened, love it.
 
Hi,

Im not sure if some of the replies are aimed at me or not, but either way my horse isnt usually scared of dogs, if one barks at him he might be hesitant to go forward or spooky, but there is never an issue. The only issue with this particular dog is that when she sprints past my horse jogs, and on the last incident the dog was going to nip his heels.

I haven't seen the owner yet, but will try and talk to her, I'm sure things will get resolved :) I've also noted down some of the other suggestions as things to take on board and ask my yard owner for her opinion on :)

I haven't managed to ride since the incident due to ice, but hopefully I'll be able to have a nice hack out tomorrow :)

Thank you for all your advice
 
The odd incident can happen but 3 times with same dog etc. I had a dog use to hide in the hedge at same spot and it drove me nuts. It would come out of nowhere(its garden) under the hedge at 100mph. The final straw was when it was slippery and my horses back end went. Another rider told me it use to swing off her horses tail. I always tell naughty dogs they are GOOD DOGS in my loudest voice, and the suprise usually stops them. My horse was brill with dogs and this became a game for both(mine knew it was a good spot to have a bit of a play but he would stiffen up in anticipation of the 100mph dog). In the end I stopped one day and had a word with the owner and they did put new fencing up. I found out the dogs name and thereafter when I saidXXXX NO it stopped. I would try to have a word with the young girl as you dont want an accident. Tell her you can have no responsibility if your horse kicks or tramples the dog(and you dont want to get injured. Find out who she is where she lives too. She has got to be able to keep her dog under control. You could mention it to the police if you feel that strongly but try to speak to her first.
 
Ime only a very tiny % of out of control dogs show signs of aggression towards the horse. And if they do, I have the control & common sense to calmly turn the horse to face them, & let the horse see them off. The last thing I want is for the horse to engage its flight mode & race off uncontrollably. And, ime of all the dogs I've met, only a small % are out of control, & of those its an even smaller % that aren't just playful. Tbh, there appears to be far more panicky riders around than horses, let alone 'dangerous' dogs.
 
The_angel_littlelegs said:
Ime only a very tiny % of out of control dogs show signs of aggression towards the horse. And if they do, I have the control & common sense to calmly turn the horse to face them, & let the horse see them off. The last thing I want is for the horse to engage its flight mode & race off uncontrollably. And, ime of all the dogs I've met, only a small % are out of control, & of those its an even smaller % that aren't just playful. Tbh, there appears to be far more panicky riders around than horses, let alone 'dangerous' dogs.
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I would agree that only a very small amount of dogs are dangerous however I was unfortunate to meet a pair of them as per my post..........

I am not scared of dogs and neither was my horse but my horse was never the same after this incident.

I had a serious incident where my horse was seriously attacked by a couple of dogs that came running out of a farm yard, attacked my horse on a public road and brought her down on to the road. She suffered serious injuries which required long term veterinary care.

What really annoyed me was that other local horse riders had had problems with these dogs but never bothered to do anything about it.

I reported the incident to the police and dog warden and they each went to see the farmer concerned and warned him that if there was another incident the dogs would be put down and he would be put infront of the local magistrate. They also told him that the dogs must be securely contained within his farm yard at all times.
 
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