| Dogs and horses are common at stables - many | | | | people and horses alike. Another popular |
| who have one like all animals and have the | | | | group with horse owners are the working dogs. |
| other also. However, not all dogs like | | | | Typically large dogs like Great Pyrenees, |
| horses, and not all horses like dogs. Keeping | | | | Anatolian Shepherds, Mastiffs or Kuvasz these |
| the two co-existing can take training and, | | | | dogs can be a security force around the barn |
| for some, may never happen. Left to roam | | | | and keep *other* dogs out of the horse area. |
| unchecked dogs can, and will, do incredible | | | | They'll also effectively dispatch coons and |
| damage and even kill a horse. There have been | | | | other critters that come in uninvited. |
| cases of dogs jumping onto the neck of a | | | | However, because of the adult size it is |
| horse as the horse wildly runs trying to | | | | ABSOLUTELY important that you set ground |
| escape his tormentor. Dogs can run in packs | | | | rules from puppyhood and mean it. A 30 pound |
| and chase horses through fences, and even | | | | Pyr puppy is cute when he comes up and jumps |
| take down and kill horses. Once a horse has | | | | up...believe me the cute wears off when |
| had a bad experience, they may never fully | | | | there's a 120 pound dog splashing through the |
| trust a dog of any kind again. On the other | | | | mud running straight towards you and company |
| hand there's other horses who will "hunt | | | | is due in five minutes. Whatever the breed |
| dogs" - and would kill a dog given the | | | | you get, expect to train them. Don't let them |
| opportunity. With one the prey and one | | | | get away with carrying off grooming supplies |
| predator it's amazing the modern animals can | | | | and other things from the barn. Keep their |
| usually live in peace, but when things go | | | | vaccinations up - for their own health, that |
| wrong they really go wrong. Other horses will | | | | of your horses as well as of visitors. Don't |
| tremble at the site of a dog. While some | | | | allow your dog to roam the area. A dog that |
| horses may never *like* dogs they should be | | | | is supposed to protect the barn is useless if |
| trained enough to not panic and run from | | | | he's 2 miles up the road visiting the |
| them. Sometimes simply facing the dog is | | | | neighbors. Remember too that you may know |
| enough intimidation, or riding towards the | | | | your dog won't hurt livestock but in many |
| dog. Of course some horses are too afraid to | | | | areas a dog in with livestock, including |
| walk forward and the dog will sense this. | | | | horses, can be shot on sight. The horses |
| Still other horses simply wait for the dog to | | | | normally learn to relax when they get used to |
| get in range and, rider or not, kick or | | | | the dog being around. However, if strange |
| strike. If you're thinking of a stable dog | | | | horses are around, or when you're seriously |
| consider carefully several factors. Ideally | | | | training the horse, keep the dog safely |
| if you're bringing a dog home you'll give | | | | confined. You want the horse's attention on |
| much thought to the idea. While border | | | | *you* and what you're doing, not watching his |
| collies, Australian Shepherds and Cattle Dogs | | | | canine buddy romp in the yard outside the |
| are all found on many farms and stables it is | | | | arena. A dog running up along the fence can |
| VERY important that when you bring any | | | | startle even a horse that is used to dogs. |
| herding dog home you devote time to training. | | | | For the safety of dog, horse and rider take |
| Never let the dog chase the horses, even in | | | | sensible precautions. Whether purebred or, |
| play. Herding dogs have the instinct to move | | | | like this Cattle Dog - Beagle cross, "mutts" |
| animals from one place to another - for | | | | make sure your farm/stable dog is properly |
| safety of both horse and dog restrain that | | | | trained and socialized around horses and the |
| instinct! Hounds have long been kept around | | | | horses trained to not fear the dog. |
| horses. Typically bred to hunt, breeds like | | | | |
| the Foxhound, Beagle or Coonhound are better | | | | Ron Petracek was raised in southern Idaho |
| around horses as they aren't a threat. They | | | | with horses and the great outdoors. With this |
| still need training, but their instincts are | | | | continued passion He now shares through a a |
| more to go with the horses rather than | | | | vast equine network. Learn more by clicking |
| chasing or cornering them. Their normally | | | | the links below. |
| laid back temperament is normally welcomed by | | | | |