Who let the dogs out?

[HORSE Mag]

In June's reader rant, Helen lets off steam about out of control dogs endangering her hacks. Did you agree with her? Please vote in our survey!

To read the rant, click here

[Nailed]

No I dont entirly agree with this. I think she has been very unlucky in her experience. People in our hacking area are extremely considerate, pop there dogs on leads as soon as they hear the horses hooves and are always nice and polite.

The only incident we have ever had involving a dog, resulted in the dog owner being prosecuted due to other dog owner backing our claim that the dog was out of control, they were prosecuted through the CPS along the lines of possecion of a dangerous animal.

I think that dogs, like other animals get excited by the sight of a horse. Cattle, gallop at horses, are you going to have a moan about them being out of control?

Lou x

[Tinkerbee]

Oh my life it's hels_bels

I agree with her Because I deal with the idiots as well Although our village does seem to have more than it's fair share of fools.

[Hels_Bels]

Thanx Horse mag, i do feel that this is an issue in our area. I do realize that dogs get excited but i still think that owners should be in control of them.

This rant is about where we are nailed and we don't rie through cattle just making a statement about people with dogs.

[Tinkerbee]

Except Highland Cattle...who ignore us

[_April_]

I agree with the rant

Dogs should be kept under control.
Of course some dogs will be excited by horses; however if they are kept on leads or fenced in properly it wouldn't be a problem.

[kirstyhen]

In a way I agree - My horse is not a fan of dogs and will knock them into next week if they get too close.

However, it works both ways. I am fed up of having horse riders come flat out galloping up a track - at least give me a chance to get my dog under control!

[CaveCanem]

I walk on a pony trail and while we have yet to meet any riders, the dogs stay on a lead, I have learned to expect the unexpected where dogs are concerned....if I can't see around a corner, then they are with me.

As a GSD owner I was very angry when a couple watched as their GSD mosied out of their garden, right up in the face of the horse I was on, causing her to rear, and did nothing.
Big dogs like that have a bad enough press, and yes, I did give them a talking to - and him, although it was more of a low growl....

[thorwaldharry]

I find it fustrating when dogs are allowed to run around at events!

[kirstyhen]

The thing with our walks is they are footpaths, however Riders can use some of the paths with permission from the estate. I tend to steer clear of the paths the riders use, but they still use the footpath only routes.

Otto is always on a lead in areas that I think we could meet someone, as his recall is so hit and miss but he is on a long line, so I still need a split second to reel him in

I hack through there and apart from not thinking any of the paths suitable for galloping along, I worry that it only takes a few complaints for the Estate to stop Horses from using the track, and we have no other hacking nearby!

Apart from anything else, I was always taught it is common courtesy to walk past anyone on foot, which didn't mean gallop up to them, walk a few strides and then go straight back into gallop!