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Horse riders othe road
molliepops
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Just wondering if any of you ride on the roads ?
I have two dogs one of which barks like a lunatic at anything including horses on the road, so I want to know whether you prefer we drive slowly past with manic pooch or should we get by as quick as safely possible. We do pull up if it's safe and wait until the riders are as far away as possible before carrying on but that isn't always safe to do.
I have two dogs one of which barks like a lunatic at anything including horses on the road, so I want to know whether you prefer we drive slowly past with manic pooch or should we get by as quick as safely possible. We do pull up if it's safe and wait until the riders are as far away as possible before carrying on but that isn't always safe to do.
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One of my dogs takes exception to horses sometimes, others he completely ignores them, whether he's in the car or not. I always try to avoid horses & riders just in case he makes a nuisance of himself & he's very easily distracted anyway so I don't generally have a problem, provided I see the horses coming. But I'd hate to be responsible for upsetting a nervous horse, especially with an inexperienced or child rider. This is less of a problem for me on the roads as I rarely walk my dogs on the roads, but bridleways in the countryside is a different matter.
I sometimes walk my dogs in a big country park through which race horse trainers ride horses to get to the gallops. I know that race horses can be highly strung & easily spooked but I recall one time hiding in the woods with a friend & her dogs to avoid these horses & it seems that the horses were more upset because they could only just see us, than if we had stood at the edge of the path in full view.
Not very helpful but true
Some horses will be more bothered by a fast moving car than a barking dog, others will be more bothered about the dog.
Likewise some will be more bothered by something they can't make out, others will be more bothered by a noisy, agitated dog in full view. The answer there is maybe to hide more effectively so the horses can't see you at all
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With regards to dogs in cars, I would always advise passing wide and slow. Even if the dogs are barking like mad the horse is more likely to be spooked by a fast car going by.
It is so nice to see a non horse-bashing thread! So many people seem to think that horses shouldn't be allowed on roads, tracks (even bridleways!!) or anywhere really!
I say hello or have a chat to most people I see when I'm out riding, mostly dog walkers!
So slow and wide even with barky dog - that will make it easier to decide, we have tried everything to stop him including me sitting on him but he still manages to make a racket :eek:
I get annoyed when I'm out on rides and dogs just come up barking without leads and no owners to be seen. If I know I'm on a bridleway we put our pup on an extendable lead, whereas she would normally be off lead or on a short lead.
Well done for having your dog under control around horses but please be careful you don't have it extended when there are horses actually about as the cords are not always easy to see and can act like a trip wire :eek:
Even around other dogs extending leads should be in short or they can get caught up together, which can trigger panic or fights, or they can get friction burns from the cord if they get tangled up .
Likewise I agree we all need to share the highways & byways & respect each others' right to be there. My only gripe is with cyclists that approach from behind without any warning, going very fast. Sometimes this spooks one of my dogs & he'll rush after the bike, barking. Apparently it is always my fault as I didn't have my dogs under control! But as they both have very good recall, the simple ring of a bell or shouted warning would allow me to call them & hold them till the cyclist has passed.
I was walking with my dog on a long lead a while back, when one came up fast behind us in stealth mode, terrifying us both, and nearly crashing into my dog, he shouted at me that I should get my dog under control, so I told him he should get bell :mad:
As for horses, my Danny seems stunned into silence by them and never makes a murmur as they ride past, although he barks like crazy once they are out of sight we always just stand to the side of the path, holding him by the collar or on a very short lead until they are past..and usually exchange a few polite comments with the riders, about the weather or amount of people about etc..most are considerate and its a pleasure to see them out and about on their beautiful horses
Only on one occasion have I had a bad experience with horse rider when walking on Bridle paths...two women went past on horses, we stood with Danny to the side, and as they went past, out of the bushes came two Great Danes who were running loose with the riders, they both went for Danny and barred their teeth at us when we tried to push them away...the women looked down ...one said "come" and off they trotted...leaving us to deal with their huge aggressive dogs, My OH had to pick Danny up, as he was so scared (hes a little Yorkie cross) and we had to shoo them away quite forcefully, the riders were well out of sight before the dogs eventually left us alone .. it was quite frightening at the time :mad:
It's the cyclists that come up fast behind me with no warning that bug me. Even without the dogs there's always a chance that I could wander across the path & be hit by a bike. I do appreciate that it's not nice being chased & nipped at by a dog so I do understand why some cyclists get cross with dog owners, especially the dogs that appear out of nowhere to give chase. But similarly a bit of warning from the cyclists allows most responsible dog owners to prevent any mishaps.
Yea, when we see a horse apporaching, we call her back to us and keep it short, as she is only small and I don't particularly want to spook a horse, and it is seriously scary for the rider, and I don't want my pup squashed.
I don't like using extendable leads, but we decided that it is safer to put her on that, so we know where she is when we are walking on bridleways, rather than her off lead and out of sight. We also have a slip lead for her, but she isn't old enough for us to use it, we want to wait until she is 12 months.
They tend to be better when they can see what is happening so tucking out of sight in the hedgerow etc isnt usually a good idea because they know something is there but dont know what it is so their pea brains go into overtime!!
My advice would be to keep the dog on a lead, dont make sudden movements, give the horse chance to have a look at what is happening and give them a little bit of space too.
Most riders will stop and let the dog have a look because its in their interests to help with any desensitising...alternatively ask if you can visit a local stables to let the dog have a look (extra welcome if armed with a bag or carrots or apples).
I have to say....what a lovely thread mollie.
My horse actually hates dogs. She used to be fine till some idiot let his dog chase her over the common where I was riding her... not she jumps about as soon as she sees one!
She survived, the horse died. Many drivers don't seem to be aware of the presence of riders, walkers and cyclists on country roads and lanes.