How do you handle loose dogs around your horse?

[Horse_Rider]

How do you handle loose dogs? Loose dogs on the trail. Your fellow boarder’s loose dog around the barn. Dogs in general.

Does your horse just put up with it? Did you put some training in place? I’ve ground worked my horse to death this year d/t a laundry list of issues and frankly I can’t sort out the dog issue we’ve developed and I’m going to get dumped and my horse just might eat a dog.

Background:

My horse has walked past a chain link fence of barking, lunging dogs, and not blinked. We show at a local venue with a dog breeder next door and my dog schooled very peacefully next to a yard full of large, white, barking dogs. What makes him anxious is loose dogs.

My horse had a rough year with multiple injuries and his confidence is pretty shaken about everything. After months of work he’s improved, but interactions with dogs are becoming an issue. We moved into a very dog friendly barn and having numerous large dogs running loose is unnerving my horse. Continued exposure isn’t improving things because the dogs aren’t well behaved. They try to play in the water from the hose when he’s getting hosed down. They play fight directly under his nose while he is in cross ties, literally bumping into his front legs during one bout. They suddenly appear on the trail, running at us. Great times.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was a trail ride. Long story short, I dismounted and walked my horse home about half way through the trail ride because my fellow trail rider’s loose dog repeatedly running up behind my horse resulted in some -unpleasant- behavior.

Just looking for options. I considered bringing my own dogs down to work with him but I’m not going to let my dogs run loose, and he’s met my dogs and because they were small, polite, and leashed they were fine. I may still do some late night grooming sessions with everybody just for quiet dog time, but it really doesn’t replicate the “minding our own business on the trail and a dog is running on our heels.”

(P.S. - He doesn’t need to be a fox hunter, just more self-assured. Plus, we had a clinic with hounds, he doesn’t care about hounds. They count as dogs “under the control of a human,” because they are clearly directed and have manners. They pass his “acceptability” test. It’s the ones running amok that keep causing issues for us.)

[clanter]

there are no loose dogs around our horses, we had one mare who was lead of the herd…she stopped the only dog that ever ventured into the pasture …she hit the dog in the head with one kick of one rear foot killing it instantly

[clanter]

@Horse Rider

The straw that broke the camel’s back was a trail ride. Long story short, I dismounted and walked my horse home about half way through the trail ride because my fellow trail rider’s loose dog repeatedly running up behind my horse resulted in some -unpleasant- behavior.

)

there are no loose dogs around our horses, we had one mare who was lead of the herd…she stopped the only dog that ever ventured into the pasture …she hit the dog in the head with one kick of one rear foot killing it instantly

[Horse_Rider]

@clanter

there are no loose dogs around our horses, we had one mare who was lead of the herd…she stopped the only dog that ever ventured into the pasture …she hit the dog in the head with one kick of one rear foot killing it instantly

I am of the opinion that horse barns are for horses, not dogs, for this exact reason. It’s not my job to protect your dog any more than it’s my horse’s job to not kick your dog, but unfortunately this is the position I find myself in. Plus, at some point I will meet a loose dog. Case in point, today I was alone at the barn and the neighbor’s a55hole dog came running over to stalk us. t

[Xanthoria]

I agree that horse barns are for horses, which is why I moved from the barn where everyone brought their dogs and set them loose, and the BM had 6 dogs loose too. Dog poop, dogs eating your horse’s feed, dogs stealing your grooming kit, dogs running amok - just chaos!

But the majority of people had QHs and they just didn’t care. And I don’t really feel my TB at the time cared much either, but he had loads of exposure - and that’s what your horse needs. He needs to see enough dogs for long enough periods that he relaxes. And you relax too.

My current youngster was nipped at by a loose husky on the trail when he first went out - useless owner was yelling and not really trying to get the dog. Thanks a lot! So now he’s wary, but he has improved because when I meet a dog on the trail I bring treats and ask the owner to feed them to my horse and we just stop and chat until everyone is bored.

Try clicker training. My horse gets a click/treat when he bravely investigates something scary. I clicker trained him to “touch” a scary thing (vehicle, bicycle) but don’t do that w a dog Use “stand” or another command that helps you both out. My horse loves bikes now! They mean good times!

[sherian]

you have a dog problem not a horse problem eh. I teach my horses to turn and chase loose dogs that are pestering them on the trail, gives them a lot of confidence. People are supposed to have control of their dogs in public areas so if one runs up and your horse kicks it they are liable, not you (at least in Manitoba). Tough when the boarding barn lets them run amok, and I would be unsympathetic if my horse kicked an uncontrolled dog - anything in the boarding contract about dogs? maybe a quiet word to the barn owners about the liability of uncontrolled dogs in a public area?

[Horse_Rider]

@sherian

you have a dog problem not a horse problem eh. I teach my horses to turn and chase loose dogs that are pestering them on the trail, gives them a lot of confidence.

This is always what I have done in the past but unfortunately in this case I think my fellow boarders would have a conniption if I taught Precious some horse manners by chasing them down with my steed. The owner’s dog also runs loose and barks and runs at the boarders like she’s going to bite. They’re quite comfortable with that so I d
on’t see the barn culture changing. That’s a large part of why I can’t/won’t bring my dogs out. I’m concerned several of the loose dog are aggressive and would hurt my dogs. Looking at this comment. I think you’re right. It’s more a dog issue than a horse issue.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I have 6 dogs. They are never out in the barn, excluding 1 who does night check with me. I grew up at a barn with 4-8 Jack Russels, corgis and Aussies everywhere. They never were alllwed to harass horses or clients.

I am not unsympathetic to your situation, but I’d move and find a barn without the dog issue.

[tabula_rashah]

My dog is allowed loose at the barn- he is ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed in any fields (he knows the fence is a barrier), nor to chase any horses, nor pretty much anything that would be bad dog manners. I would say either move your horse because I seriously doubt that the dog owners are suddenly going to become responsible or let your horse nail a few. I’ve found out on the trail, if a dog runs up on you- if you face your horse at it and let the horse “chase” the dog, the dog learns awfully fast that it’s not a good idea

[cnigh]

Move. You either enjoy loose dogs or you don’t. I wouldn’t expect to change anything.

Most loose dogs I would just ignore. But I have no problem charging a dog on my horse if I have to.

If your horse is acting up then you need a quieter, safer place to ride.

[TWH_Girl]

@Horse Rider

I am of the opinion that horse barns are for horses, not dogs, for this exact reason. It’s not my job to protect your dog any more than it’s my horse’s job to not kick your dog, but unfortunately this is the position I find myself in. Plus, at some point I will meet a loose dog. Case in point, today I was alone at the barn and the neighbor’s a55hole dog came running over to stalk us. t

I agree completely. Just got home from my barn where another boarder has a dog who runs amuck and was underneath my horse while the farrier was there. The owner is too busy drinking her wine to pay any attention. BO mentioned the other day telling said boarder she can’t bring her dog to the barn. Guess she hasn’t gotten the memo yet.

Annoying and dangerous IMO.

[Scribbler]

You have 2 problems.

One is developing your own horses confidence.

The other is being in a barn where the barn culture is not sufficiently safety conscious. Dogs should not be underfoot in crossties or chasing horses. I would be very tempted to carry a water gun and also aim a few well directed kicks at the culprits.

Probably though you really need to move and there are likely other safety problems there.

[CHT]

Overshadowing might work as your best option.

In hand, teaching a very ready forward/back cue is the first step (or really any easily commanded cue). Then use this command around a trained dog (to ensure the command is still well listened to under moderately distracting situations). In practice, a horse relaxes when given a well understood command that changes its focus away from the frightening stimulus. Under saddle, a better command might be shoulder in or leg yield (as you can still maintain some forward motion). A well understood command given in a stressful situation will lower the horse’s heart rate/fear response.

Flooding (just exposing your horse to loose dogs) isn’t proven to be very effective and is highly stressful if the horse is truly afraid.

Even if you move barns, you may still encounter loose dogs on trails/off property…but I do agree that having random loose dogs in the barn is quite unsafe regardless of the horse’s behaviour.

[Magicboy]

I just hate having dogs around when I’m riding. Doesn’t sound like you’ll get any help from your fellow boarders. Ty may have to move

[betsyk]

Ride with friends whose horses don’t care about dogs. Let your horse see that the others don’t care. It will take time, but it’s worth it!

[RiderInTheRain]

It sounds like you would be happier at another barn - your expectations and those of the management/other boarders clearly don’t line up. Others have good suggestions on how to help your horse get more accustomed to them, but it sounds like even if your horse was less upset about them, you would (very understandably, in my opinion) not be very happy about the way dogs are managed there.

[CanteringCarrot]

I would also consider another barn as the culture at your current stable seems unlikely to change.

I was recently at a stable with several dogs, they mostly annoyed me when they would poop in my stall if the door wasn’t kept shut while my horse was out. They were always loose and not the most obedient.

My first stable had a “leash” rule and nobody had any troubles with dogs there.

Now my current stable, the owner has a well behaved relaxed dog that is loose on occasion. My horse likes dogs, so this is not a problem. The dog also listens and has a very calm demeanor, so I have not seen him upset any horses. Another boarder brings her small obedient dog and it is always at her foot, or in the stall while she is riding, this is also fine.

If it were my personal stable, I would probably have a firm no dogs rule. It’s just too much to deal with people and their animals with varying levels of dicipline.

We have certain pet insurances and liabilities here, and I am not sure how it works in other places. In my opinion if your dog gets kicked in the head, it’s no fault of mine. This is a horse stable, not a dog club. When your dog is off leash that is a liability. Whatever trouble it gets into is on you/the dog. I don’t know how people would even be so ballsy to be upset that a horse went after their loose dog. Animals, even with the best training, are animals. I am in favor of precautions especially when it comes to safety of everyone involved.

If you talk to people about how your horse is reactive around dogs and they don’t respect that or restrain their animal, it’s time to move along. I have never had to train a horse to be tolerant of dogs, because I’ve always had “other creature friendly” animals for whatever reason, so I am not sure how I’d go about it. My horse already has some “features” installed from clicker training that would probably help him respond and cope if he had a dog issue. I know someone already mentioned clicker training, and it may be worth a shot if you do not want to change stables and the stable does not want to change its outlook on dogs.

[kande04]

I was at Otter Creek (trail system in NY) with my very green mule when someone asked if he could ride with us, and then showed up with his dog. I told him that my mule was very nervous and would probably kick his dog, and he wasn’t worried about it so off we went. My mule spooked a few times when the dog popped out of the woods, but then started feeling safer with the dog running around. So sometimes dogs don’t cause as many problems as we fear they will.

[DQ_Foxhunter]

My horses foxhunt and they are used to the hounds, but I have ridden on the trails with unruly dogs and it even can set them on edge.
The situation at your barn is an accident waiting to happen, maybe you could point that out to the BO,.
If she allows an unsafe situation to continue at the barn and an accident happens her insurance might not help her much in a lawsuit.
Maybe you could gently point that out.
If none of that works get some citronella spray and zap any dog that comes to close to your horse!

[Trakehner]

I hate dogs at the barn. It’s for horses, your little “fur persons” can stay at home. My mule happily takes care of dogs in his field…he stomps them into paste. Under saddle, he really wants to go after them but he’s working…he knows the command for “go get them” if a dog is loose and threatening. After my pony was nipped by an Aussie Heeler and idiot boarder brought to the barn (along with several other dogs she just had to travel with), my pony, being an amazingly alpha mare, kicked his face in nicely. Feral loose dogs at the barn are no different than feral loose children…sorry, not our job to worry about your dog or BCP failures.