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introducing dogs to horses
#58130 - 08/01/2002 09:56 AM |
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I'm looking into getting a horse next year and was curious if anyone had experience
introducing their dogs to the horse. I have two dogs and soon to be three. All are GSD, two
males and one will be a female. I live in an area I would like to ride and take the dogs
with me. I'm concerned for both the dogs and the horse. I don't want my dogs kicked
or trampled nor do I want to chase down a horse going fortymiles an hour down the road
cause my dogs decided to "herd" it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Should I introduce the dogs one at a time to
the horse? I know the horse will need time to settle before I do the introduction. I'm
thinking this may be a two person job- one with the dogs and one with the horse.
Karmen,Dante,Bodie,Sabre,Capone
http://www.vogelhausgsd.com
Abraxas
6/29/91-9/22/00
"Some dogs come into our lives and quietly go,
others stay awhile and leave paw prints on
our heart and we are never the same" |
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58131 - 08/01/2002 10:03 AM |
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It will mostly depend on the horse... some horses will try to kill any dog that comes anywhere near them..
So far as them trying to herd, the same thing will likely apply. It doesn't take more than one kick to keep a dog clear of a horse, but unfortunately, it can also kill the dog in an instant.
If it were me, I would have the horse loose in a paddock when trying this the first time and have the Ecollar on the dog. Horses will try to move away from what is bothering them, and by you holding them you will push them to where they feel that they have to bite, kick, or stomp. If the horse is loose and you have good control of the dog you can call the dog off before something happens. Of course, this is not advised for the "killer" horses mentioned above...
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58132 - 08/01/2002 10:49 AM |
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Slow is the answer here with introductions the same as if you are introducing a new dog into your home. Separation of the animals, slow introductions, always positive at the end.
One dog at a time.
I would use the "leave it" command. The dog needs to know he should ignore the horse the same as he should ignore another dog. Make sure you do not allow the dogs to have interaction with the horse unless you are there to supervise.
When you start to ride only take one dog then work with any problems you might encounter until you can add a second and so on.
You will have to be the judge of how the animals are responding to each other. If your dogs are well trained it should go smoothly, the horse either has or has not had experience (good/bad) with dogs and that will play a factor as well.
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58133 - 08/01/2002 10:53 AM |
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Great thread, thanks guys!! We're buying a bigger place and will be getting 1-2 horses in the next couple of mos as well. Keep the advice coming, pls . . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58134 - 08/01/2002 11:03 AM |
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As Deanna said, some horses will try to kill any dog. My brother had a pony which he raised from a weanling colt, the mare was my fathers and was always around dogs with no problem. The colt hated dogs from day one and nothing could deter it from trying to trample any/every dog in sight.
If your going to get a horse, see if the seller will let you expose it to your dog. I think that would be as important as checking your dogs out. You don't want your dog to chase the horse. Why buy a horse that will chase the dog.
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58135 - 08/01/2002 11:13 AM |
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either that or just understand that the idea of riding with dogs may not end up part of the equation.
I have a picture I took here somewhere of a Dane that was about to be trampled by this psycho saddlebred mare(not dissing saddlebreds, I like them). Just like anything else.. horses have moods and mares(just like bitches) tend to be more likely to do suprise attacks on anything around "that time".
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58136 - 08/01/2002 11:32 AM |
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A good, ranch raised, working(not competition bred) quarter horse can be an awsome animal, but a lot of horses are just to high maintenance for me. They are, by nature, a prey animal and that means run from any unknown stimulus. A dog, is by nature, a preditor. If you get a good horse, great. If you get a bad one, thats a lot of dog food.  <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Only jokin.
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58137 - 08/01/2002 12:05 PM |
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I have dogs all over my horses, and they present no problem at all. The lab learned the hard way but it only took getting rolled once, by the gelding. They are all good AQH's and nothing scares them. The dogs don't intimidate them at all. The mastiffs were raised from pups around the horses so there was really no particular curiosity with them.
DFrost
Any behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again. |
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58138 - 08/01/2002 12:55 PM |
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Thanks so much for the great advice. One of my first questions when calling about a horse will be if they have ever been exposed to dogs. My dogs are pretty well trained. I will introduce the horse first with my older male who is more likely to ignore the horse and go about his business. My neighbors have horses and the dogs pretty much ignore them now. I would only let the dogs around the horse if I were there. Mostly if I was riding. Generally when they are on a walk the dogs are more interested in running ahead so if I get them used to the horse and vise versa then I'm hoping for a tolerable relationship between the two. What better way to get exercise for all of us. And for all of you who don't think riding is good exercise jump on a 1200 lbs animal for an hour and we'll see how your legs feel in the morning <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Karmen,Dante,Bodie,Sabre,Capone
http://www.vogelhausgsd.com
Abraxas
6/29/91-9/22/00
"Some dogs come into our lives and quietly go,
others stay awhile and leave paw prints on
our heart and we are never the same" |
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Re: introducing dogs to horses
[Re: Karmen Byrd ]
#58139 - 08/01/2002 01:05 PM |
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Off topic, BUT....I am so jealous! I never got over my childhood fantasy of owning a horse (perhaps when I retire). Please let us know how your selection goes. I'd be interested to hear what problems and/or successes you have, for my own future reference.
Lisa & Lucy, CGC, Wilderness Airscent
Western Oregon Search Dogs |
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