I'd have to agree w/ what everyone else has basically said-it really depends on the horse. My horse (Quarter Horse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) just turned 20 years old and has never had a problem with dogs. For the most part, dogs can run up to him in near attack mode and he completely ignores them. Normally the dogs will get tired of it all and leave us alone (so far <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ). If on the other hand my horse feels really threatened-he will back kick a dog into next week if need be (and he has really good aim on top of that!).

Along the same lines of not getting a horse that has strong desires to chase down dogs to stomp them to death...you also don't want a horse that is generally afraid of dogs. Some will take off running in fear for there lives when approached by a dog which as we all know leads to the dog having a grand ol' time chasing the horse around and around and around and...not a good situation either.

Last but not least...there are Horse rescue organizations all over w/ great horses for adoption! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Karmen,

Lots of great advice posted here for you.I have owned horses in the past and worked at very busy barns over the years where there were always lots of dogs around.There is a big difference between a barn dog and a trained working dog IMO.

Since you aren't getting the horse until next year, you have lots of time to get your dog used to horses and how to behave around them. Alot depends on the personality of your dog.

I would suggest that you bring your dog to barns where there is alot of activity,(riding, training, feeding etc.) let them observe the horses with you casually. I strongly agree that you teach the dog a horse is not to be focused on, but rather a part of the background.This may not be possible w/ some dogs. You will have to see.My high prey drive bitch never calms down around horses, she just gets too keyed up and hyper <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> My male is fine though...but he has only been a visitor and only on leash, never out on trails.I am still training his basic OB, and I don't currently own a horse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> )

What you can do also is use OB commands to shape the behavior of the dog,for example: ride a bomb proof trailhorse and give your dog a heel command so he is compelled to follow by your side ,etc,etc...I'm sure you can work that part out.

I used to have a friend whose dobe was great. He would hang around the barn w/ us, mind his own business at all times, never chase other animals of any kind, run out on the trails w/ us, & on & on & on....He was just that kind of dog.(Forever in my mind I will compare every dobe I ever meet to him)Anyway, good luck!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Gee Van Kamp, hate is such a strong word!!I have never come across a dog lover that hates horses before HOrses are alot like dogs in that their body language tells alot. So if you see those ears go flat back, watch out... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks so much for the super advice. I think I will call a local barn and see if they mind if I take my dogs (one at a time ON LEASH <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) inside the stables and just walk them around. I will start with the horses being inside the stalls and then gradually work up to horses walking around etc.. By the time I get my horse my dogs should be used to them and I will focus on the horse then.

tbm1874- I do plan on rescuing a horse for an organiziation. I have been searching the net for the last month and have several places I am going to check out. That is where I came across a suggestion about horses and dogs. It said make sure your 100 lbs GSD doesn't decide to herd the horse so that got me thinking <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again everyone, I'll let you know when I get my horse and how the introduction goes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The advice to introduce a dog to horses whilst the horses are loose in the paddock is wrong and recipe for disaster, never try and do new things with horses when there in a open paddock as if they panick and run thyell keep on running and that means straight through wire fences or even wooden ones if they're really scared. Introduce your dog and horse in a round yard. Approach form a distance with the dog on leash and watch the horses reaction if they stress move away unitl they settle and then move in again until they show signs of stress again then move away and so on. This concept is a fundemental of horse trainning , its called presure and release. Most probabaly the horse wont be bothered. If it is gentle slow introduction might get him over it but if your a new ridder Id suggest you get horse that isnt bothered by dogs or anything else for that matter you want one that looks like hes on moggadon 24/7. Leave the saddle bronc to latter. You wont enjoy ridding if your stressing over your horses behaviour.

I wouldnt get a rescue horse either, horses kill and injure a lot of people. Id buy a nice appy or quarter horse around ten years old. Nice and mature but still plenty of miles left in him. Have a look at christopher reeves and think if you want to end up like that. Who knows what these animals have been exposed to. Horses take a long time to recover from mistreament, if ever. Theyre not very smart animals, they dont need to be grass dosent run away from you like deer and buffalo do. Cattle stand and fight, horses run tough luck if your on their back when they decide to do so.

I have a rott bitch who was in a pen in a paddock holding four of my horses. One of them was a minie ponie who delighted in teasing her through the wire, the rott hates this horses with a passion and attacks him whenever she can, she swings off his tail and he kicks the shit out of her and she wont let go, froth out of the mouth and the eyes roll back in the head. I believe shed do it to the big horses too if she could catch them. I dont believe any amount of correction would deter her. Point is high prey drive dogs will probabaly always be suspect around fast moving running animals like horse.

If you breed foal imprint them to dogs as soon as they are born. I used to get a chiuaha minnie foxie cross and rub her all over the foal and let the foal sniff her. I have a appy fillie named Abigail who I did this with who has no fear of dogs. This is a big plus as the horse is far less liely to run and encorage the prey response in the dog if it isnt afraid of them. I belive in same case a dog hating horse can be a asset , like if you have neighbours who let their dogs roam and they chase your horses. Seeing your favorite horse disembowled after a dog has run it through a fence will have you reaching for you rifle dosent matter how much you like dogs. Knowing Flicker will tear any dog a new ass if they come into his paddock is a nice thing to know if your going away for a few days. Your dogs will soon learn that their company isnt appreciated in that place.

Its comon practice in Australia to teach stock dogs to sit behind the saddle. That way they are rested when you ride out to where your going to do stock work. The dog runs at the horse and leaps up and hits the horse on the back hip and then scrambles up and lays across the rump. You can have another across the wither as well.

Train your dog to hold the reins for you, put the dog on a sit stay and put the reins in their mouth, you can also call the dog that way and they'll lead the horse over to you. Another good thing is ot trian th dog to lead you to where the horse are grazing if you have a big paddock. This handy if you have to catch the horse at night.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Brendan 'The Diplomat' Powning:
The advice to introduce a dog to horses whilst the horses are loose in the paddock is wrong and recipe for disaster, never try and do new things with horses when there in a open paddock as if they panick and run thyell keep on running and that means straight through wire fences or even wooden ones if they're really scared. Introduce your dog and horse in a round yard. Approach form a distance with the dog on leash and watch the horses reaction if they stress move away unitl they settle and then move in again until they show signs of stress again then move away and so on. This concept is a fundemental of horse trainning , its called presure and release. Most probabaly the horse wont be bothered.
I wouldnt get a rescue horse either, horses kill and injure a lot of people. Id buy a nice appy or quarter horse around ten years old. Nice and mature but still plenty of miles left in him. Have a look at christopher reeves and think if you want to end up like that. Who knows what these animals have been exposed to. Horses take a long time to recover from mistreament, if ever. Theyre not very smart animals, they dont need to be grass dosent run away from you like deer and buffalo do. Cattle stand and fight, horses run tough luck if your on their back when they decide to do so.

I don't think anyone was suggesting turning her dogs loose in any paddock with any horse. That would be purely stupid and down right dangerous for all involved. It's obvious whatever horse she decides to purchase will have some sort of training and the seller will be able to give more of a back ground on the horse...especially as to wether or not the particular horse has shown complete all and all out hatred towards dogs. Frankly if it were me in the market to purchase another horse I'd not want anything to do with a horse that I could not even 'walk' a dog past the fence w/out it bolting...a horse of this character would be terrible to ride out on trails or anywhere. I'm sure Karmen realizes that the horse and dogs will have to be introduced with a secure fence in between them and at a very slow rate.

Regarding a rescue horse...wtf??? There are SOOOOO many awesome horses in rescue right now it's pathetic. Registered Quarter Horses, Arabians, Saddle Breds, Draft horses, ponies, etc...horses of every breed that have had top notch training end up in slaughter ALL the time-rescue groups save these horses from slaughter and rehabilitate them if need be. As w/ dog rescues, they DO NOT adopt out crazy horses...especially to the unexperienced. Most organizations are filled w/ very highly experienced trainers that work w/ the horses from day 1 of coming into rescue. There is absolutely nothing wrong w/ seeking out a rescue for one's first horse.
BTW-I think the training you are speaking of may be a bit far down the road and far fetched at that for the 'average' horse/dog owner...I live in major horse country-about everyone I know has horse's and I know of not a single one that rides the horse w/ the rider...or that holds the horses reins. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well, well, well... Brendan the 'The DIPSHIT' Powning...

Originally posted by Brendan 'The Diplomat' Powning:
The advice to introduce a dog to horses whilst the horses are loose in the paddock is wrong and recipe for disaster, never try and do new things with horses when there in a open paddock as if they panick and run thyell keep on running and that means straight through wire fences or even wooden ones if they're really scared. Introduce your dog and horse in a round yard. Approach form a distance with the dog on leash and watch the horses reaction if they stress move away unitl they settle and then move in again until they show signs of stress again then move away and so on. This concept is a fundemental of horse trainning , its called presure and release. Most probabaly the horse wont be bothered. If it is gentle slow introduction might get him over it but if your a new ridder Id suggest you get horse that isnt bothered by dogs or anything else for that matter you want one that looks like hes on moggadon 24/7. Leave the saddle bronc to latter. You wont enjoy ridding if your stressing over your horses behaviour.

The reason I suggested this particular method for KARMEN is that Her dogs are very well trained off leash, especially with the E-collar. If the dog was bugging the horse, she would recall before we had a situation of which you describe... No, I wouldn't turn any dog loose in a paddock with a loose horse and just wait and watch for the best... that was NOT what I meant.

I wouldnt get a rescue horse either, horses kill and injure a lot of people. Id buy a nice appy or quarter horse around ten years old. Nice and mature but still plenty of miles left in him. Have a look at christopher reeves and think if you want to end up like that. Who knows what these animals have been exposed to. Horses take a long time to recover from mistreament, if ever. Theyre not very smart animals, they dont need to be grass dosent run away from you like deer and buffalo do. Cattle stand and fight, horses run tough luck if your on their back when they decide to do so.

What happened to Christopher Reeves doesn't have shit to do with a rescue horse. Jumping is dangerous PERIOD. Three Day Eventing is the only sport in the Olympics that has had casualties.... GEE MAYBE THAT WAS AN EVIL RESCUE HORSE... NOT...

Lots of horses end up in rescue that owners turn in for FINANCIAL reasons, DIVORCE, or just plainly because there isn't another alternative... Maybe it is different down under, but remember this board is rooted on US soil. Yes, they do have abuse cases, but as Tammy has already said, most of those horses never leave the rescue.

I have a rott bitch who was in a pen in a paddock holding four of my horses. One of them was a minie ponie who delighted in teasing her through the wire, the rott hates this horses with a passion and attacks him whenever she can, she swings off his tail and he kicks the shit out of her and she wont let go, froth out of the mouth and the eyes roll back in the head. I believe shed do it to the big horses too if she could catch them. I dont believe any amount of correction would deter her. Point is high prey drive dogs will probabaly always be suspect around fast moving running animals like horse.

Ok, just a second here.... So High prey means you can't control a dog? NO, shit training means you can't control a dog.... Do you think police dogs are allowed to go and try to eat the mounted officers horse? What about parades? Give me a break :rolleyes:


Train your dog to hold the reins for you, put the dog on a sit stay and put the reins in their mouth, you can also call the dog that way and they'll lead the horse over to you. Another good thing is ot trian th dog to lead you to where the horse are grazing if you have a big paddock. This handy if you have to catch the horse at night. Ok, you think this is a safe practice? :rolleyes: Remember horses are stupid, but not as stupid as some people...

I think I need to clarify that I have experience with dogs and horses- just not at the same time. I have been around and ridden horses all my life and showed an ex racer (thoroughbred named Scooter ) at Purdue University. I have also trained in Schutzhund for 12 years and starting working for a vet when I was 14. I was also in the foal rescue program at Purdue and helped save sick or injured foals. The horses I have been around were already used to dogs and vise versa so I didn't know what their introductions were like.

I will still probably go through an adoption agency because there many many great horses waiting to be adopted. I'm looking for a good horse for my pleasure and maybe a bit of jumping and trail riding but my dogs HAVE to be a part of this. I think with all the great advice I received from the board that I will take the dogs to a barn first and associate them with smells and horses that are "dog" experienced. Then when I adopt I will let one dog at a time be introduced to the horse. (after the horse is settled) I will put the dog on one side of the fence (with leash) the horse on the opposite side and I will make a slow introduction. I will re-enforce the leave it command to leave the horse alone and go about their business. I will take this slowly to ensure safety for all involved. Just need to make sure my dogs know that this isn't a large dog and trying to smell their butt just might not be such a wise idea. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again for all the great advice. It has certainly helped me out and I will now be prepared when I adopt that lucky horse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you like TB's http://www.rerun.org is a great organizaton.. I adpoted one from them years ago.

I am no expert by any means, but it seems to me that if you pick a horse using the same high standards you have for picking a dog (ie. good solid nerve base) the horse should have minimal problems working through any fear that the encounter with the dog would initiate.
Granted, I do know that the horse is a "flight" based animal, but if you see stock horses, circus trained horses, mounted police etc. anything can be accomplished with the right horse and consistent training and exposure.
It might actually be easier to get the horse to accept being around the dogs than getting the dogs used to walking/loping/running beside the horse, especially off leash which is what I presume you eventually want to do. My dog is actually very good with other domestic animals (except cats), but I've never tested him off leash. I don't doubt that the instinct to chase (prey) would kick in once the leash is gone, but again, I've never worked on it.
BTW, fall agricultural fair season is going to start in my area fairly soon. Dogs are not banned at fall fairs that I've seen as long as they're on leash and well behaved. It's a good way to expose your dog to other domestic animals.
I don't doubt that you'll give this little project 110%. Good luck and keep me posted! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />