I wonder if BO’s insurance knows she is allowing large rambunctious dogs to run loose on her property with boarders and large flighty prey animals?
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I find loose, poorly trained dogs to be a nuisance anywhere, not just at the barn. However, at the barn there are 1000 lb animals capable of causing serious damage to a dog, or to a human, if they are spooked or feel threatened. Which makes it SUPER inappropriate and unsafe. A horse is basically a giant toddler. Would you let a pack of dogs run around with toddlers?
I will say my current barn’s owner has 3 dogs, 2 of which are very well behaved and the third is a football sized 10 month old, and my horse is not at all bothered by it. My horse is somewhat scared of the turkey, which he decided after he’d been there looking at it for 3 weeks, but whatever.
I love dogs but I hate out of control, rambunctious dogs at boarding barns. If I encounter a loose dog while riding I will chase them out of the ring – done it a few times, much to their owners’ dismay. It helps that my TB is very good around dogs (he’s has literally jumped a loose German Shepherd – twice, neither time on purpose, and yes I did yell at that dog’s owner) and he also quite likes herding things. We’ve chased them on trails a few times, but luckily my encounters with loose dogs out in the open have mostly included very nice, responsible dog owners.
I do bring my dog out to the barn frequently, but he has very strict rules and is only loose when I’m feeding in the winter – meaning I’m alone and the barn doors are shut so he’s not running into the parking lot. Otherwise he’s tied out of the way or in a crate. He is not allowed to be THAT dog that everyone hates.
OP, if I were you I’d move if the dogs at your barn are this much of an issue for you and your horse. It’s not going to change and it sounds like some of those dogs (owners) are a big safety hazard.
