Yard rules for dogs - very annoyed post

I'm on a small yard with just a handful of liveries. I do sometimes take my dogs to the yard with me but only when I'm going up quickly to feed/poo pick and when I know there's unlikely to be anyone else around.

I'd never take them when I planned to ride and leave them to roam about for hours, and when they are there they are with me at all times so no crapping on hay or bothering the horses!!

I love that I can walk my dogs to the yard occasionally but I think it's all about getting the balance right and being respectful of others!
 
Goldenstar said:
I am a huge fan of dogs on yards and expect my horses to accept them.
I expect them to keep working when the dogs pop up in the school to accept the horses walking in and out the stables and them going about the fields in a group stuff like that is nothing but good for horses .
However if I owned a DIY yard I think I would have a no dog rule because policing the idiot owners would be too hard work .
Op I hope the Yoer takes this seriously but go gently if you have not seen the behaviour for yourself , some people love to built things up into a huge palaver and cause a storm .
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Some horses will always be spooky flighty types and no amount of 'expecting' them to be any different will change that. I pay my livery in order to enjoy my horse with minimal stress and risk of injury to both myself and my horse. Having dogs leap out of bushes and hedges and running infront of my cantering horse is not what I want when I'm riding. It's unpleasant and rude at best and extremely dangerous at worst.
 
Moomin1 said:
Some horses will always be spooky flighty types and no amount of 'expecting' them to be any different will change that. I pay my livery in order to enjoy my horse with minimal stress and risk of injury to both myself and my horse. Having dogs leap out of bushes and hedges and running infront of my cantering horse is not what I want when I'm riding. It's unpleasant and rude at best and extremely dangerous at worst.
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It may not be what you want but it's what I expect even my own super hot horses to accept.
I simply don't tolerate horses who persistently spook at things that are part of life .
And you know what they don't , I have never had one who did not come round to my way of thinking .
Of my horses can be spooked but I expect it waaaa ..oh dog back to work .
I don't baby my horses they are expected to cope with all sorts of madness and you know they just learn to get on with it .
 
Goldenstar said:
It may not be what you want but it's what I expect even my own super hot horses to accept.
I simply don't tolerate horses who persistently spook at things that are part of life .
And you know what they don't , I have never had one who did not come round to my way of thinking .
Of my horses can be spooked but I expect it waaaa ..oh dog back to work .
I don't baby my horses they are expected to cope with all sorts of madness and you know they just learn to get on with it .
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Good for you. But I can 100% guarantee that you would not in any way, shape or form alter my horse's natural temperament. She's going on 15yrs old and has never been any different and won't ever be. Plus, in any case, spooky horse or not, I do not want dogs jumping out infront of my horse whilst I'm cantering about, posing a risk to my safety. If someone is on their own yard or riding their own horse and is happy with their dog running about like that then no problem, but I do not accept, and don't expect my horse to accept it. She is after all a horse, not a machine. :)
 
Moomin1 said:
Good for you. But I can 100% guarantee that you would not in any way, shape or form alter my horse's natural temperament. She's going on 15yrs old and has never been any different and won't ever be. Plus, in any case, spooky horse or not, I do not want dogs jumping out infront of my horse whilst I'm cantering about, posing a risk to my safety. If someone is on their own yard or riding their own horse and is happy with their dog running about like that then no problem, but I do not accept, and don't expect my horse to accept it. She is after all a horse, not a machine. :)
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my horses are not treated as machines ,they are self confident very happy horses who trust me .
I don't believe you if your horse was here she would learn from me and from the other horses that's there's no necessity to spook at simple every day stuff like dogs.
 
Goldenstar said:
my horses are not treated as machines ,they are self confident very happy horses who trust me .
I don't believe you if your horse was here she would learn from me and from the other horses that's there's no necessity to spook at simple every day stuff like dogs.
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Nothing like an inflated ego. No, I can absolutely promise you that my horse would not learn a jot from you in relation to not spooking when a dog shoots out of a hedge unexpectedly. I know my own horse a bit better than you I'm quite sure :)
 
Our horses and dogs live at home. They are not allowed to be on the yard at the same time and the dogs are not allowed off the yard, except on their leads.

Accidents can happen in the best regulated places, so safest all round to ban dogs from livery yards, imo. And I have to say that I hate to see dogs accompanying hacking owners, again an accident waiting to happen imo. No matter how well behaved the horse/dog, the owner cannot possibly be paying full attention to them both, especially if they are hacking with friends and chatting.
 
my bfg said:
Following the dogs on yards thread does anyone's yard actually have set rules?
All the dogs I've known on yards have been well behaved and only appear for a quick fuss and to see if the farriers left anything tasty but stay clear of the horses.

But tonight to be honest I'm fuming at one livery, she lets her new dog have the run of place, uses other peoples mucking out equipment to clean up after it when she notices it go to the loo but often she doesn't and its constantly sniffing around the horses. But today I found out something thats annoyed the hell out of me.

My girl is the only horse on the yard that wears a fly veil rather than a mask, today said livery saw me in the field and was laughing at the fact her dog is obsessed with the fly veil and apparently often runs over snapping at it trying to get hold of the strings!
A I don't want her dog in my girls field at all let alone snapping at her face!
B I found the fly veil had 5 strings ripped off it last week from various points on the browband (found them in the same area together) and couldn't work out this had happened as it never touches the ground when she grazes so am now wondering if the dog pulled them out?
C why the heck does she find this funny?? She would go mental if a dog was doing it to hers!

Will be speaking to both her (was speechless at the time) and the YO tomorrow but surely not letting dogs in other people's fields is common sense??

Sorry for the rant but I'm absolutely fuming
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I wont have any dogs on my yard unless they are riding out with the owners and are on the lead full time
 
Moomin1 said:
Nothing like an inflated ego. No, I can absolutely promise you that my horse would not learn a jot from you in relation to not spooking when a dog shoots out of a hedge unexpectedly. I know my own horse a bit better than you I'm quite sure :)
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Here too our horses have our resident dog here and there is no way my boy will not spook when out hacking when dog walkers let their dogs off and they come crashing through the undergrowth.
 
Moomin1 said:
Nothing like an inflated ego. No, I can absolutely promise you that my horse would not learn a jot from you in relation to not spooking when a dog shoots out of a hedge unexpectedly. I know my own horse a bit better than you I'm quite sure :)
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You do know your own horse but I know my system and I know it works .
 
Goldenstar said:
You do know your own horse but I know my system and I know it works .
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It wouldn't with my horse. You do come across as slightly arrogant GS in those posts. You clearly assume you are a better and more experienced horse person than myself and my instructor (who she also spooks with).
 
gunnergundog said:
How do you know it wouldn't work? Unless you and Goldenstar have been exchanging private messages then surely you don't know what her system is and therefore can't judge its potential efficacy.
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Because I know my horse and I know that she will not alter. Believe me.

Though out of interest, it would be good to hear this wonder method to cease spooking in every horse you come across GS?
 
If I caught someone letting their dog do that to my horse, obviously I would need eye witnesses, or my own eyes to see it..I'd catch it if it was going on believe me ..then I would deck her. This is why I got off yards and got my own place years ago. I love horses, but can't be doing with the clowns that frequent most of the livery yards. not saying all folk, but a lot. Along with the superior know-it-alls, the ones that are there telling people they are doing it all wrong, really good with their advice on the ground,,,but you hardly EVER see THEM in the saddle. Get your own place, do it your way and you don't need to moan I find.
 
We on a small yard, with just us, YO and another livery. The YO has three dogs and with her permission we take our dog to the yard. He is only allowed to be loose if appropriate. The dog knows that horses bite and kick and gives them a wide berth.

We have never been on a yard where dogs are not allowed, however on one we had to notify the owner if we were bringing the dog and it had to stay in either the car, the stable or lorry and was not allowed to roam free. Perfectly acceptable, their yard their rules.
 
I'm appalled that someone thinks this is acceptable behaviour for her dog! I would be furious with her and she'd damn well know about it!! She'd also get a bill for the damage! I have my dog with me on any yard he's allowed on and no way in hell does he get away with any misbehaviour! It's people like her that cause these blanket bans - so sad because my dog loves being out with the kids and horses and it's good for all of them.

Just FYI in case it's useful for anyone else to rig their dogs up like this - I've got my dog's extendible lead attached to a sort of belt thing around my waist just in case I need to put him on the lead for some reason (tractors arriving, cats, lambs etc.). This way, he can still be out and under control (sometimes I lock it on a short lead and sometimes he has the whole lead) and I still have both hands free for poo picking, mixing feed, soaking hay etc. He's even been invited to be on one yard that doesn't normally have dogs on it because he's so well behaved.

Dogs on yards can be done - it's the bloody owners who need to learn some respect.
 
My yard allows dogs. All the dogs on the yard get well with each other. My two go up fourth times a week. The collie stays in the car/stable until his walk as he tries to eat the horses so lead on on the yard but as soon as we are at the back fields it comes off.

The 11 month old comes out riding with us so has a lot of horse sense and doesn't leave my side when off lead on yard.

If any of the dogs start harassing the horses the yard owners tell the owners to stop bringing the dogs up.
 
Thank you all, I saw the YO this afternoon and he's disgusted by what's happened and he's going to speak to her tonight. I did stick up for the other liveries who bring their well behaved dogs down, who are never let out of their sight, not allowed in other people's fields/around other horses and they always clear up after them, as I don't think one person's complete stupidity should lead to a blanket ban.

He also mentioned that he thought it very strange that the other day his old but very horse wary dog (who my girl is usually completely relaxed with even at close range) took a short cut through my girls field and she chased the dog out which is completely out of character for her, that and the fact shes become very reluctant to be turned out lately (to the point when I untie her she barges back into her stable instead of heading for the paddocks like usual) I'm very worried this may have effected her more than I first thought.

Haven't seen the other livery yet but will be telling her exactly how disgusting her and her dogs behaviour are when I do!
 
there has been some disagreement on this thread towards dogs as a whole on yards, but OP, what that dog at your yard has done is terrible! you have a very understanding horse! how can she think it is funny that her dog is jumping at your horses face to eat a fly fringe?! it is a shame that your horse did not retaliate.

I rent land and barns with a friend and my German Shpeherd nearly always comes with me, but he respects the horses space and is not allowed to make a mess everywhere. when i ride he is left with his bed in the tack room. but if i was in a normal livery yard it would be too manic.
 
My horse has kicked 3 dogs so far and he wont change if another dog gets to close it is Walllloppp. Nothing will change him now no end of introducing.

Any dog coming rushing out yapping round his feet he will lash out and I will not react to him doing so. IMO he is doing what comes naturally when a predator comes towards their legs
 
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I've already said what I think about the dog issue... Wanted to add, since it came up, that kids are even worse! I'd blanket-ban children right away (unless they are there to ride of course). Dogs may be destructive, out of control etc. But at least what they can do is limited... Children can feed your laminitic bags of jelly beans, get in with the kicker and try to brush his tail, and having barely survived, take all your tack and bury it in the muck heap.
 
We can have 6 dogs on a very small yard of which 4 are mine. There are also a number at different parts of the farm. They are not a problem, they respect the horses, they don't get a free pass to disappear and when I am riding, they go back into car or stable.

And you can get a spooky horse used to dogs, but it's persistence, not just the occasional meeting. I had a very spooky horse and he did eventually get used it my dog and it made him safer as he got used to things crashing in the woods...such as the odd lost DoE student. He was incredibly sharp and it wasn't the most pleasant experience to get him through his desensitisation though!
 
Luci07 said:
We can have 6 dogs on a very small yard of which 4 are mine. There are also a number at different parts of the farm. They are not a problem, they respect the horses, they don't get a free pass to disappear and when I am riding, they go back into car or stable.

And you can get a spooky horse used to dogs, but it's persistence, not just the occasional meeting. I had a very spooky horse and he did eventually get used it my dog and it made him safer as he got used to things crashing in the woods...such as the odd lost DoE student. He was incredibly sharp and it wasn't the most pleasant experience to get him through his desensitisation though!
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My horse isn't scared of dogs remotely. She is spooked by anything which suddenly charges out of hidden places, which is completely normal and natural for a prey animal. No amount of desensitising has changed her, and it's not for lack of trying. She just doesn't like things appearing out of nowhere and she will remain that way. My point is that whether a horse is spooky or not, dogs should not be jumping out of nowhere infront of horses in work. It's dangerous and not only that but I don't want a dog running about in the school whilst I am having a paid lesson on my horse. It's a pain in the ass.
 
pippixox said:
you dont want your horse who was so good with dogs to be put off thanks to them :(
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thats what happened to my old horse. He went from being completely dog proof to going for any dog that came within range with teeth and front legs-including mine (who's never done anything wrong). He went like this after a series of livery yards where people thought it acceptable for dogs to chase horses in paddocks ad for their stupid collies to jump up and snap at horses' noses while they were in their stables. He didn't get scared, he just got angry and one one occasion, even when someone tried walking a dog through his paddock. Dog was alright thankfully but the owner got a scare-when they go for them with the front end, horses really mean business.

I agree horses should be dog proof but dogs need to be horse proof on yards. Fine for them to be running about imo, but they should stay out of the horses way and ignore them. I used to take my dog to work (racing yard) and she would play with the other dogs all day-they weren't remotely interested in the horses at all and stayed clear.

I would be fuming OP, I hope you get it sorted. It's one more reason I am glad I am no longer sharing yards with anyone!
 
I was at a yard where a woman use to come up in the evenings with her dog & never had it on a lead. She used to think that it was well behaved because it came to her when she called it. The bl@@dy thing never stayed with her though & while it was away it would cr@p in peoples stables, on paths where we walked & also cock its leg up peoples hay bales. I took her to task about it one evening & pointed out what it had done. She was that adamant her dog hadn't cr@pped next to the hay & virtually called me a liar when I told her I'd seen him do it & pi$$ up the hay. I told her dog was out of control & she never knew where he was or what he was doing. She got really mouthy but this was brought up at a yard meeting & others had seen him do this but were scared of the woman. She was 'Queen Bee' & thought she ran the yard. She found out she didn't & was told to leave the dog at home by the YO. She left a few weeks later to terrorise another yard. She wasn't missed! ;)
 
Moomin1 said:
My horse isn't scared of dogs remotely. She is spooked by anything which suddenly charges out of hidden places, which is completely normal and natural for a prey animal. No amount of desensitising has changed her, and it's not for lack of trying. She just doesn't like things appearing out of nowhere and she will remain that way. My point is that whether a horse is spooky or not, dogs should not be jumping out of nowhere infront of horses in work. It's dangerous and not only that but I don't want a dog running about in the school whilst I am having a paid lesson on my horse. It's a pain in the ass.
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I think most horses are spooked by things making a sudden appearance, whether it be a dog or a floating carrier bag! Our horses, from the dinky LR ponies to the big naturally spooky ex racehorses do learn to have a minimal reaction to such things - we have quite a number of resident pheasants lurking around the school who are liable to appear without warning and take to the air with loud complaint!!
We almost welcome this as it helps them to cope with distractions they may come across in the show ring or out on the roads. Some horses are naturally more prone to spooking than others but their reactions can usually be toned down with repeated exposure. NOT that I am advocating loose dogs running around the arena I hasten to add ;)
 
minesadouble said:
I think most horses are spooked by things making a sudden appearance, whether it be a dog or a floating carrier bag! Our horses, from the dinky LR ponies to the big naturally spooky ex racehorses do learn to have a minimal reaction to such things - we have quite a number of resident pheasants lurking around the school who are liable to appear without warning and take to the air with loud complaint!!
We almost welcome this as it helps them to cope with distractions they may come across in the show ring or out on the roads. Some horses are naturally more prone to spooking than others but their reactions can usually be toned down with repeated exposure. NOT that I am advocating loose dogs running around the arena I hasten to add ;)
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My mare's reactions haven't toned down in the slightest and she's nearly 15. She's encountered numerous and repeated scenarios but still, anything that takes her by surprise has the same reaction. It's not a horrendous reaction, nowhere did I say that. She simply spooks and then carries on what she's doing. However I do not welcome or accept some irresponsible idiot's dog running out infront of my horse whilst I'm riding. End of. It's an unnecessary hazard and I wouldn't allow my child to run around infront of another horse therefore people shouldn't allow their dogs too either.
 
Moomin1 said:
My horse isn't scared of dogs remotely. She is spooked by anything which suddenly charges out of hidden places, which is completely normal and natural for a prey animal. No amount of desensitising has changed her, and it's not for lack of trying. She just doesn't like things appearing out of nowhere and she will remain that way. My point is that whether a horse is spooky or not, dogs should not be jumping out of nowhere infront of horses in work. It's dangerous and not only that but I don't want a dog running about in the school whilst I am having a paid lesson on my horse. It's a pain in the ass.
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It was my dog who helped my horse stop reacting everytime a branch creaked, and he was a huge spooky pain. However, a dogs running across the school is a no no. Our current yard isn't near the schools but at the previous yard, all dogs were taught that the school was forbidden territory. Could be 12 dogs on the yard ...they all learnt that stables and school were a no no!
 
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