Dealing with aggressive dogs

[Guilherme]

@Bearx2

Agree 100% that your first responsibility is to keep yourself and your horse safe . I also agree that sprays aren’t all that useful in a situation like this. I am just touchy when it comes to bear spray because where I work we have people who don’t use it properly and end up in the hospital. People think it is just like pepper spray when it’s not. If people choose to use something like bear spray ( or any type of spray for that matter) they really should do some research and practice with the spray. I would just hate for someone to use bear spray and have either themselves or thier horses injured because the wind shifted or it turned out stronger then they though it would be. Understand I have no problem with people protecting themselves and thier horses with bear spray or any other methdod as long as they can do it safely. I don’t see any point in using a method that will get you injuried.

Concur.

G.

[fordtraktor]

FYI, when I was a kid we had a pack of feral dogs in the woods where an rode. My vet at the time told my mom to have me keep a syringe of ammonia in a fanny pack and spray the dogs when they got near. Face the dogs, then spray as the approach. He said it wouldn’t do lasting harm (maybe temporary if it got in their eyes) but they hate the smell. It worked and I didn’t have any more problems with them after one or two run ins. Practice using the syringe at home with water. Obviously you just need a cap, not a needle on it. If you push the plunger hard it goes pretty far but stays a small stream that is easy to control, much more than something like wasp spray.

[Guilherme]

Any sort of “spray” device has the same fault, a high level of susceptibility to environmental conditions. This is an “Achilles Heel” that cannot be remedied.

So, if you want to use a pepper agent to discourage dogs use one that will give the highest probability of affecting the dog with the lowest probability of adversely affecting horse and rider: the paint ball gun.

These can be purchased at a reasonable price, are likely subject to low/no levels of regulation (at least in the U.S.) and require nominal levels of training for horse and rider.

Here is are some examples: https://www.ansgear.com/Paintball_Pistols_s/63.htm

Here’s what you can shoot: https://www.choicepaintballguns.com/less-lethal-paintball-gun-ammo

If you have an Airsoft 6mm weapon you also have options. These weapons at typically less expensive than the paintball guns, as is the ammunition they use. While I’ve not been able to find any 6mm “pepper” rounds (although I did find a few references to them; maybe they are not manufactured anymore or not available to civilians) I did find “paint” bbs. While these would not have the “pepper” effect they will sting like crazy and mark the offending animal. They are pretty short range and don’t have much “carry” risk. With either you would have to train your horse to their use.

Here is one vendor: https://www.airsoftstation.com/airsoft-guns/

I’ve not done business with them and do not endorse them. One reason I did pick them is that they say they are “Canada Legal.”

Here’s what you can shoot: https://www.amazon.com/Paintball-Airsoft-Snipers-Pistol-Rounds/dp/B06XCCR4MQ

I’ve got a couple of Airsoft guns but have never used these bbs. I understand that they can “gum up” the mechanism after a number of rounds and require the the weapon be cleaned thoroughly after use.

G.