Peter

since everyone else is addressing the dog issues - I want to address horse issues.

First, I have no idea what you're talking about when you say pay a ton of $$ for "swift" pour on. I have never heard or seen of a horse product by this name so hope you're not using a cattle product on your horse.

Second, staking the horse by the leg and getting a wound around the coronet band. This can be very serious - can cause hoof damage, ligament damage, etc and not advised as a restraint for your horse as a means of tying. Running a picket line overhead and tying there or around a tree high up giving the horse enough rope to reach down, but not giving it the chance to get wrapped up in a rope on the ground, tied around it's legs.

Glad you found this type of activity as I would be lost without my dogs or horses. Just worry about All the things everyone else has, too.

 Quote: JessicaKromer

Hey Peter, it's all good!

I have horses and dogs, and we ride together often. Wonderful way to relax...

Just not many people would, or are able to, buy a horse to give their dog more exercise. Kuddos to you. Sounds like both get more exercise than most pets.

Jessica, I agree completely that riding with your dog is about as close to heaven as we can get while earth bound... however, for an inexperienced dog/rider/horse combination riding at excessive speeds chasing deer through the woods - might just be asking for something tragic to occur.

I'm not trying to discourage the adventure, just recommending that the training take place prior to subjecting all animals involved to the potential for grave harm.

For those with the experience and trained animals - go for it.

To teach the dog to stay to the side or back of the horse you could use a stock yard whip and lightly tap him when he gets in front. As soon as the dog moves in the right direction stop tapping.

Or you could teach him to touch a dressage whip or crop held to the side of the horse. Every time he gets in front ask him to come back and touch the whip. With marker/clicker training it should go pretty fast.

Orrrr, teach him to touch your stirrup for a side position and the horse's tail for a back position.

Lynne will check label soon as i get home - i will be a bit annoyed if product is wrong or harmful, it is the product the vet reccomended for a horse to keep flys off, might be a generic name perhaps? do they have generic brands in animal world like human pharm world? also getting a very expensive light summer rug with material permeated with fly treatment, supposed to be a good product.

stake; terminology issue here, i don't tie horse out this way, i know people that do though. i was using the word - almost to scared to say here - umm, racing through forest (no trail) horse got staked literally above the hoof by a stick - vet checked it, horse got minor injury. bit painful but no lasting damage, the dog kept licking the wound, the horse totally allowed it to. i used iodine mixture and a cream from vet it is healing well and no sign of soreness or lameness.

Oh trust me Barbara, I agree.

I took from his posts that he is trotting his cow pony down a trail while his DOG is running after deer and whizzing by at 200mph.

My biggest concern is that this dog will come out of the bushes and spook the horse and cause a huge explosion.

Now if I read this all wrong, and we are talking about a cross country free-for-all, then I will happily give a few more cents on the matter...

I am obviously assuming that the dog has a great recall, and that the rider is wearing a helmet, and the horse is quite stable and dog safe, and and and... I just hate to jump to conclusions until I have to.

And after reading back and seeing that he is, perhaps, staking a horse out by the foot... I am starting to think I should stay away from this thread...

ETA: Thanks for clarifying that point Peter...

 Quote: Peter Cavallaro

almost to scared to say here - umm, racing through forest (no trail) horse got staked literally above the hoof by a stick

And there ya' go.

I am gonna stay away...

Lynne,

See below:

http://www.horsesuppliesdirect.com.au/category15_1.htm

Peter - yes, there are generic products in the animal product division but again, I have had horses for over 40 years and am currently working at the US's largest QH circuit show right now and I have never heard of this product. We usually do not use pour on products on horses - either wipe on, spray on or the little tubes that are called spot-ons. If your vet recommended it and he is a horse vet and not a cattle vet - then I may be wrong. I usually like the products called WIPE, PYRANHA (sp?), Bio-Spot, etc.

I am always afraid of running a horse like what was mentioned above - something jumping out of nowhere and spooking the horse, you getting dumped, horse taking off and you being left injured (take your cell phone). Then the running, horse putting foot in hole, flipping over on top of you, hurting you and breaking it's leg and so on. I have a made rope horse that is pretty stable about everything - a been there done that kinda horse but even he can come out of his skin in the right circumstances. Just play it smart, always watch where your dog is and try to enjoy the scenery - that's what trail riding is about. Oh and make sure you take a first aid kit with stuf for all of you in it in your saddle bags.

sorry, everyone posted at same time, will try a target command Debbie. dog has really solid contact foundation from early agility training, - dam feel stupid for not thinking of that myself, so obvious.