 Dogs and horses
#296731 - 09/17/2010 07:18 AM |
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The other day while strolling up main st, a horse drawn carrage came up the street behind us. There were some other dogs being walked near us and all (incl Brodie) but one of the dogs freaked out to one degree or another as the horse passed by.
There was some serious whining and the dogs acted like they wanted to put some major distance between themselves and the horse. Oddly though, there was one dog that didn't seem to mind the horse at all.
This is he first time I've had an encounter with a horse and I'm not quite sure what to make of it.
Are dogs generally fearful of horses?
Brodie
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Tim Curtis ]
#296737 - 09/17/2010 08:01 AM |
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Reactions to our horses from dogs who visit the farm (friends of our sons) have really varied.
Most are initially fearful (WHOA-THAT"S A BIG GUY!) to curiosity, desire to smell the horses hind feet (not so wise) and a universal desire to eat their manure. Most dogs think it's fun to chase horses.
The fear reaction you saw might have been related to the fact that the horses were hitched to a wagon which was clattering along, in a dog's view I think this appears as something chasing the horses. I've seen that reaction before.
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#296741 - 09/17/2010 08:55 AM |
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Yup, I think it's more about the carriage than the horses too. My dog is super used to horses (He has a total non-reaction, even around the larger draft horses), but still acts a bit squirrely around horses hooked to a carriage.
It's got to be a pretty strange sight from an animal's perspective.
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Tim Curtis ]
#296743 - 09/17/2010 09:31 AM |
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The Keeshond I had absolutely loved horses. Her best buddy was an appaloosa named Bonanza that belonged to a friend's stepdad. They would play for hours.
Once we took her to an obedience trial (just for socialization). She was terrified of all the noise (inside trial)but we found out the Budweiser Clysdales were there in the barn resting between shows so we took her over to see them. I'd never seen a dog do a double take before but she did one worthy of an old silent movie comedian. Once she decided they really were horses she spent several minutes going from horse to horse greeting each one and being greeted in return.
"A dog wags his tail with his heart." Max Buxbaum
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Elaine Haynes ]
#296745 - 09/17/2010 09:55 AM |
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Thanks all. It never occured to me that the dogs may in fact have been reacting to the whole big fancy cloppity clop contraption heading toward them, and not necessarily to the horse itself.
I think my dog would probably be ok around horses given that I know he likes to chase deer, although I don't want to repeat that particular experience. There's nothing quite like seeing your dog disappear into the woods at midnight running after some buck. Good test for the voice recall though...
There is a state park nearby that also includes a public farm with a lot of horses and other animals. If they allow leashed dogs on the farm I think I'll take ol Brodie over there and see how he reacts to various animals.
BTW Betty, thats quite a vision, the one where the dogs are gulping horse manure. The more disgusting the food, the more they seem to like it!
Brodie
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Kristel Smart ]
#296746 - 09/17/2010 09:57 AM |
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My dogs grew up, from little pups,going to the barn & in the stall visiting my horse. They have been worked in the horse fields with horses in the next field. Sometimes the horses would even come over to the fenceline where the dogs are working to see what is going on. But I think that if they saw horses pulling a carriage down the street it would be weird to them. Not sure they would jump around as they are pretty neutral to most thingsb, but I am sure that they would give it a good look see.
MY DOGS...MY RULES
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Anne Jones ]
#296752 - 09/17/2010 10:45 AM |
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Brodie will want to eat some horse manure, must be like the hot dog at the football game or cotton candy at the circus. It never makes them sick, and they all love it. I let mine eat it. Eventually they tire of the novelty.
Even better are the "nail trimmings" after the farrier comes. That's worth fighting over!
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#296773 - 09/17/2010 01:58 PM |
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Horsey toes are the BEST!! My dogs look forward to the day the farrier comes. I've only had a couple dogs over my lifetime that have ever tired of the novelty of horse poo. Lucky you Betty!!! I agree though, it's just digested grass- no harm. I'd only be concerned with strange horse manure, because of possible parasites.
Tim- I agree with everyone else- I bet it was the carriage that had the pups worried. Most dogs are OK on leash with horses, after they get an initial sniff. They may still be nervous, but a little fear of a 1000+ lb animal is A-OK in my book! Just got to keep them out of drive. I've seen dead dogs, from chasing horses. It's not just the back end that can be unsafe. They strike too!
If you are going to introduce your dog to a horse, always check with the owner first, and make sure the horse is dog safe. Some horses have an outright hatred of dog, and will go out of their way to try and harm the dog. Yikes!
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Kelly Byrd ]
#296778 - 09/17/2010 02:15 PM |
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Horsey toes are the BEST!! My dogs look forward to the day the farrier comes.
Yes! Mine were crazy for trimmings too, with the exception of my current beastie. He has no interest whatsoever....so weird.
If you are going to introduce your dog to a horse, always check with the owner first, and make sure the horse is dog safe. Some horses have an outright hatred of dog, and will go out of their way to try and harm the dog.
Very true. We had a horse that had previously been harassed by a Border Collie at another barn. The dog was always chasing the horses around and nipping at their heels, and didn't stop until this particular horse sent her flying about twenty feet.
After that experience, this horse understandably had a very nasty opinion of dogs and was completely hateful toward them.
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Re: Dogs and horses
[Re: Kristel Smart ]
#296780 - 09/17/2010 02:20 PM |
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I had a 27 yr old TB at our rescue- (He just passed away in June.  )
He had the most intense hatred for dogs I've ever seen. Even my 'horse savvy' dog that are totally trustworthy around any horses, under nearly any circumstances (trail rides, ground work, running barrels, jumping full courses) were not safe around Baco. He was a terror on hooves. Would even charge the fence to spook dogs. Not sure what turned him on dogs to begin with, he was a GP jumper in his prime- generally a crowd of folks who has well behaved JR's and such.
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