| The question of dogs at the barn is a safety | | | | A child was bitten; a horse was chased into a |
| issue. Not just for the horses and the riders, but | | | | pasture fence. A pony was nipped on the back |
| for the dogs themselves. The slightest thing can | | | | leg by a playful puppy. The tiny puncture wound |
| spook a horse and no two horses when | | | | resulted in monumental vet bills and a long rehab |
| frightened behave alike. Each is an individual and | | | | period for the little Hackney. These things happen. |
| each will have a different reaction. Most horses | | | | Use common sense. Don't tie a dog in the aisle |
| can become desensitized to the presence of | | | | way of the barn or a passageway for the horses. |
| dogs. Some take longer than others. Some never | | | | Don't feed your dog at the barn and not expect |
| get used to them. When the horse no longer feels | | | | issues if other dogs are present. Don't place an |
| threatened in any way by the dog, it will relax. | | | | aggressive or timid dog in a high traffic area. Don't |
| Some even come to like dogs. Particularly the | | | | feed another person's dog treats without asking |
| ones that do not chase them, bark at them, or | | | | permission first. |
| come at them from seemingly out of nowhere. | | | | Little dogs tend to spook a horse just as much as |
| If your dog is a barker, whether large or small, | | | | a large one. A sudden bark or a fleeting move |
| leave him or her at home. If your dog has a | | | | from any sized canine is enough to unnerve even |
| tendency to jump up and down and lunge, leave it | | | | the calmest horse. Domesticated horses still have |
| at home. Use caution when walking your dog on a | | | | that fright - flight response. Out in the wild, a pack |
| leash at the barn or show area. Be particularly | | | | of dogs, coyotes, or wolves instill fear that has |
| careful with extra long or the extend-variety of | | | | been passed down from generation to generation. |
| leashes. Your dog might be the perfect little lady | | | | Some horses will turn on a dog they perceive as |
| or gentleman, but can very easily become | | | | threatening. Don't put your dog in that situation. |
| involved or entangled with a dog that is loose, or | | | | It's sad to think of your pet at home alone all day |
| even worse, a horse on the loose. | | | | while you are at the barn or at a horse show. But |
| I have been to horse shows where there are at | | | | think wisely. Take into account his or her behavior |
| least fifteen or twenty dogs present, without | | | | at the barn. Think of the riders doing their best to |
| incident. I have been to barns where there are | | | | excel at the show. Think of the novice equestrian |
| five or six dogs running free at any given time. I | | | | trying to learn to ride. If your dog is notorious for |
| have also been to barns where dogs are | | | | spooking horses or causing trouble, even if it is |
| prohibited, leashed or otherwise, and with reason. | | | | "just playing," leave it at home. |