I agree with those who say turn your horse on the dog - I have not met a dog yet that will continue to advance on a horse if you are riding toward the dog and shouting something loud and gruff at them - now you have to have a brave horse to do this. I also recommend carrying a hunting whip - if the dog gets too close, let them have it! A couple of years ago I was out riding with friends and my horse (he was 6 at the time) and I were bringing up the rear. We passed a small farm that was home to a pit bull and a german shepard, who often barked but never chased. As we passed the farm I heard the dogs barking but then it stopped and I thought nothing of it and continued on behind my friends into a field. All of the sudden my horse went from 0 to 60 and bolted with me across the field, leaving my friends way behind us. When I finally pulled him up, about 200 yards away, my riding partners told me the pit bull and the german shepard had chased us half way across the field and then they gave up! What happened was they stalked us silently - I should have turned around to look for them when the barking stopped, but stupidly I rode on! Now I always check my back when passing dogs, especially when they stop barking. The reason for this long story is to tell you that you would think an incident like that would ruin a young horse for trail riding and hunting after that, but the next day we went out and faced those dogs and chased them! He’s a quarter horse and has a bit of cow in him and he fox hunts some, so he’s a brave horse - he has no problem with meeting up with strange aggresive and loud dogs. Recently we were chased by a goat! And we have had our share of encounters with cows! No problem. I would say always turn on the dogs and go after them, its the safest way.
Good post. I wouldn’t have thought to check behind us in that situation either.
There is a product called DirectStop - you can get it in catalogs. It comes in a small spray can with a belt clip. It’s citronella based, shoots pretty far in a narrow stream, doesn’t hurt the dog or whatever animal (rabid skunk, snake), but boy, does it get their mind off of what they’re doing! It would give you a chance to turn around and get out of the vicinity so you can report the dog to the police or ranger!
[QUOTE=wolfy22;2269795]
What happened was they stalked us silently - I should have turned around to look for them when the barking stopped, but stupidly I rode on! Now I always check my back when passing dogs, especially when they stop barking.[/QUOTE]
Oh, good point.:yes: Despite having trained dogs since I was ten years old, I’ve only been bitten twice in my entire life - and one of those times was when a dog slipped up behind me as I walked past his house and bit me on the back of the calf (luckily it was only a tiny terrier-ist:winkgrin: ).
Turns out I was fortunate. Years later, one of my neighbors turned his pack of dobermans out on me as I walked past his house (yes, he is a crazy old b@$t#^d). By charging at the leaders I sent most of them scurrying, but the only reason the last little bitch didn’t get me was because I knew to listen for the tap-tap-tap of toenails on the pavement behind me.
I’ve had problems like this at times and come very close to shooting a dog. There’s one place that I ride to get to friends and the store that I have no choice but to go past a house where the people have let their dog out when I was riding by. I was on the far side of the road and they were watching as their dog ran out of their yard at us. I stopped my horse and yelled at them to call off their dog. It was only after I placed my revolver and informed them that under Arkansas law I can shoot their dog if we are threatened. My guess is that they called the police and found out that I would be in the right. I don’t like the ideal of shooting somebody’s pooch. I care less for the ideal that my horse or myself may get hurt instead. On a side note, If you are not in the know about firearms and choose to carry one while riding you might first contact your local law enforcement to cover the legal end then get in touch with your local NRA rep. about training (go to the NRA’s website). Hope this is helpful.
