hacking with dogs

[Anne_Oxfordshire]

I used to hack out with my dog on my old horse. (Now I have a youngster, Lady, so I don't anymore!) But I used to have the dog on the lead on the roads, and let her off when we were on bridleways. It always worked very well. My horse and dog are both well trained and sensible and calm though. I wouldn't have done it otherwise.

[Emily+Meg]

We hack with our dogs, but only 2 hacks - the ones with very quiet lanes, and not much of them! Dont take them when its main roads etc.

[emsxx]

Haven't heard about the legality of a dog not being on a lead on the road but I had a sharer last year who is a police lady in that area and she never mentioned it. Also, surely it would affect the hunt who have to cross roads, etc?

There is a farmer near us with a dalmation and when driving from field to field never gets the dog in the car so it's running after the land rover - very dangerous as he doesn't make sure it's kept up so it often falls behind and then just runs blindly across junctions, etc.

[Liz]

I used to hack out with 2 dobermans and a JRT - but never, ever on the roads. Happily I had loads of hacking directly from the farm to the Quantocks. However, the hills have become so crowded in recent years, I doubt I would do that any more.

[thelwall78]

Only ever take mine on hacks round the farm that my livery yard is on as we don't have to go on any roads or public highways, its all tracks and headlands - she is far too bananas to take out in public from horseback. She loves it - especially the cantering and racing along side. So far no squishing under-hoof - she knows fairly well how to keep out of their way in the yard and field and does the same out riding.

[zack]

I wouldn't abuse the nature of dalmations by doing what that farmer does emsxx! They will run alongside, but like the poster on the last page with the beautiful australian dog, I don't go on A roads with him, and try and stay on tracks as much as possible so that he can beans about. You have to have a pretty reliable horse and dog to do this, and make some sensible decisions about what's appropriate for the three of you.

[marianne]

I am in a little village in the middle of nowhere and usually take the labrador for a run when we go riding, but only on the QUIET country lanes (rush hour: 6 cars/hour) until we reach our usual network of communal paths/orchards/forest etc ... and because so many people really are local as opposed to using the lanes as a rat run, as soon as they see the horses they slow down and start looking for the dog ;D

[maggiesmum]

Take a look here and watch Ceaser Millans show on Sky 3 (its also on freeview), he explains how to be a pack leader and how to have a balanced dog, his book also tells you how to choose a dog suitable for your energy levels and needs rather than just choosing the one with the prettiest face!
I have 4 dogs and I have to admit that things were getting out of hand, but we're all getting back under control now i've started to adopt these ground rules, there is no 'method' just a way of being.
My point I was going to make before I wandered off there a little bit was that if your dog see's you as the leader he should follow you rather than rushing off with his own agenda - therefore he should be able to hack out with you in a calm controlled manner.
www.cesarmillaninc.com/

[Azrael]

We hack out with dogs. Most of the hacking is quiet enough that they just run around loose, horses and dogs are good at avoiding each other. The bigger one is obedient enough to 'heel' on the one slightly busier bit. The little one has been taught to climb up on a wall and be picked up onto a horse for the busy bit

[ojoj1869]

Thought i would let you all know about my situation and show that it is possible even with the most unruly dog...well to begin with!
We rescued a 1yr old staffi March 2006 who had spent his entire life cooped up in a flat!!! when we got him as you can imagine he was like a thing possessed once outside and thought literally everything was chaseable and turned a deaf ear to any calling...
this dog if let off on the beach would chase a seagull for miles ! only coming back on his own accord...would launch at any dog....chase any cat.....the list goes on not to forget would become hysterical in the presence of horses which were a big no no....
BUT this little dog loved being in the company of people...
so we preservered...i have done all the obiedience training classes with him any stopped going as our class didnt start till 2130 and it got a bit late....
i started to introduce him to horses rom the word go but he was never ever allowed off the lead until his recall was spot on...he is a tough cookie and i have to be boss all of the time no room for slacking otherwise he will try it on....when i call i mean come now not in 10 seconds and a stay down is just that....
with the horses i now take him out every morning off lead (in fact he very rarely goes ont he lead anywhere)he heels to me on the horse when asked he will down stay when asked...he will wait when asked if he gets ahead of me....echo you have to achieve absolute obedience on the ground first before you would attempt it on a horse...i do road work but country roads and also tracks etc where he goes off in front..great for a nappy horse to follow!!! it works!!!....re getting trod on...sorry but if he gets in the way his problem he will only do it once same if he choses to try and run under their heels..have to say the horses very quickly get used to having a dog alongside even the ones who dont do it regularly....i have to say i find it also can have a calming effect as Buddy has a tag which jingles when he runs and it does give my nappy mare something else to think about rather then invisible ghosts sitting in the hedge!!!....i do think you have to know your dog and either it will work or wont dependant on the dog but there is no room for a disobedient dog out loose on the roads just a accident waiting to happen....i started with tracks first to make sure i had control...
melanie...can picture the hoping on the wall bit !!! sounds like fun! but Buddy i think is a bit big to hitch a ride and not sure how nappy mare would think of it all esp as she hwould then have nothing to follow!!!
cat wise this dog initially would go beserk int he presence of our cat esp in the same room but they now snuggle up together in the dog's cage strnagely he will chase any other cat out of the garden but not ours....but then she doesnt run from him so no chase....

[horsey123]

i have seen some one with there dog on a long line or somthing sat on a horse on a lane with there dog allong with then

[Cheryl Walmsley]

bye laws are local but tend to be similar accross england and wales, apparerently in bolton you have to use your lead on any road with a 30mph limit or above. It does make sense. Our dogs are impeccably trained (as long as they are handled by my husband and not me!!) but I still wouldn't like to take that risk with them, they could get killed and injure others including children in a RTA. Not worth it.

[smudge99]

We have hacked out with our dog who is a GSD, both him and the horses love it, he is brill around the horses and they are happy and not nervous around him. I wouldn't however take them and him on the roads, far too many idiot drivers around and although I would trust my dog I dont trust drivers.

Liz

[ojoj1869]

interesting about the bylaws as out today with bikes and dog off lead police car passed us and didnt stop us...