|
Post by cheekychops on Dec 17, 2012 10:56:01 GMT 1
Solly - talk to your local authority. Most have Dog Control Orders in place covering council land, which are enforced by their dog wardens. They should also have signage available advising on the penalties for non-compliance.
Thankfully Cheekychops is largely oblivious to dogs - which is partly my fear - at two thirds of a tonne he could do a lot of damage (as I remind the owners of unruly dogs).
|
|
companymagic
Grand Prix Poster
Horses are for life not just for riding....
Posts: 1,739
|
Post by companymagic on Dec 17, 2012 11:59:30 GMT 1
They are indeed a nightmare.. Only this weekend a younger lady was hacking out her newly broken little cob on his own, just a short wander up the country lanes near the yard, when she came across two dog walkers with their Large American bull dog type on a lead. The dog pulled so hard that they let go, the dog full on attacked the poor young cob from behind. His rider was dumped in a hedge, the dog kicked and laying motionless in the middle of the road and the poor cob fleeing for home Both rider and pony are OK, but I have no idea if the dog survived. And it could have been fair worse... I am so fed up of it... I have some many times been out riding and been chased, barked at or jumped upon by out of control dogs, and don't even get me started on what happens when I am out walking with my own... Grrrrrrr
|
|
|
Post by Mellymoo on Dec 17, 2012 17:56:49 GMT 1
I tend to take a whip out with me when it's nice weather, as we get a lot of dog walkers round our hacking - I have thumped a dog before with it. Jos also kicked one that was nipping at his heels - the owner ignored me shouting at him to get his dog to safety, so it got booted. Never seen those dogs lose again strangely enough!
People don't seem to care about the damage that could be done to their dogs, our horses, and us.
|
|
|
Post by nich on Dec 17, 2012 18:16:05 GMT 1
our hacking is in to 'common wood' - as you can imagine it is a dog walkers magnet. 70% of owners either call their dogs off the path, or put them on leads. 25% let the dogs run free, but the dogs go straight past the horses without bothering them. I would say 5% bark aggressively at the horses, or snap at their heels. owners generally laugh or ignore it - I think they are embarrassed by their dogs and don't know what to do. Luckily Iolo (OH's horse) is not bothered and OH turns him to face down these dogs. My mares aren't bold, and either try to spin, or spook and shake all the way home if the dogs are aggressive. it makes me dread hacking on my own, even though most hacks are fine - just in case. you can get a horse used to dogs, but is it possible to make them bold with nasty dogs??
|
|
|
Post by Solly on Dec 17, 2012 18:39:42 GMT 1
Thank you Cheekychops, I'll try contacting the council, but nothing happens fast with the council round here!
Nich - one of my New Forests, Archie, is bold with nasty dogs, but he can't discriminate between the nasty and the nice ones, and so has to be kept fenced off from the public, which is such a shame, as I think it is so good for the ponies to be out meeting people and dogs every day. The other three are all fine with dogs, s they've had years of experience with well-behaved ones, but recently they have been getting worried when large dogs have come close, and have started snorting and running about with tails held high, so I think there is a bit of chasing going on without me knowing about it. It looks like I may have to find somewhere else, unless some signs will do the trick. The annoying thing is some of these dog-walking people have no idea of the lasting damage a single chase can do, in terms of the horses' behaviour and what's added to the memory bank.
|
|
|
Post by arabmania on Dec 17, 2012 23:38:21 GMT 1
ia had 2 beautiful rotties who adored horses. I now have one and a staffie x who rides out with us and plays in the field whilst we are jumping, schooling or whatever............... My point is that it is the DEED and not the BREED. Something that i am constantly campaining against :/
|
|
|
Post by fth on Dec 18, 2012 3:42:59 GMT 1
some good advice here -- I taught my half cob mare to turn and face dogs, and chase them when I Asked her too -- amazing how mnay dogs change their mind when faced with stomping front feet -- and the horse feels in control too -- I trained her using a friends'friendly dog -- and would give dog walkers fair warning -- then we would turn and chase the dog - usally no physical harm was done but it certainly changed the dog walkers persepctive when it was the horse doing the chasing!
|
|
|
Post by lawyerbunny on Dec 18, 2012 14:46:41 GMT 1
Definitely report incidents to the Dog Warden and to the Police too. If anyone wants to know a bit more about the law on dogs chasing/injuring horses (and vice versa...), do ask.
The other thing to think about is that the effect on the horse's memory bank is mirrored by an effect in that of the dog. Dogs learn and reinforce behaviours like chasing by repeating them. A dog that has experienced the 'thrill' of chasing something forbidden is liable to want to repeat it and every time it does, the behaviour will become more entrenched and desirable.
We're working hard with ours on a 'stop' command and stockproofing generally. It took me a while to find a *good* method for teaching this. I'd love to see more emphasis on the need for dogs to be properly trained on that front.
|
|