to think my dogs are Ok off leads around horses!

[Teapot101]

We walk a bridlepath around our home. We pass many horses with no problems whatsoever. 3 riders are continually rude to us and I've had enough. "can you put your dog on a lead" and when I did passed me saying "This is a bridle path you know" I replied that it was also a footpath! She was clearly grumpy that I was walking up the footpath with my dogs they could not have a good canter. They could have waited until I was at the end. My dogs do not approach horses and are very used to walking pass them. they do not bark or skitter or anything. We pass several other locals on horses and have no probs whatsoever. It's the arrogant attitude that is bothering me. They never say good morning, are v cold and standoffish, so do not feel predisposed to dive into the nettles to benefit their ride!!

[chickenfuckingpox]

your dogs are fine around horses what if the horses are not fine about dogs?

i met a horse that was terrified of my pushchair we were on the opposite side of the road but the horse kept spinning him around and skitting backwards side to side i tried to move faster but it was uphill and that pushchair is heavy!

also my son dogs who ignore him do nothing to him he freaks out if they come near him and i have to ask the owner to put them on a lead or call them back

most dog owners are understanding about these situations

[Booboostwo]

If all they did was ask you to put your dog on a lead I don't see why they wee rude. Your dog may be fine with horses but some horses are not fine with dogs, often because they have been attacked by them in the past.

Not saying good morning is rude but not reason for you not to put your dog on the lead.

[TiredOfPeople]

When your dogs get hoofed in the face by a scared horse, I think you'll realise wy they're asking you to put them on a lead.

[anonacfr]

She was clearly a rude bitch but YABU with dogs and horses. Animals ar unpredictable and it takes one random incident to hurt a horse/dog/rider.

Years ago I use to ride the gentlest most placid horse you could ever find. We would go riding in the countryside in the mountains- not bridle/footpaths (not UK) but rather dirt roads or forest paths. We used to encounter random dogs all over the place.
Horse was never bothered until one day. There was a family walking with their dog. Plenty of room for everyone- dog approached us in a calm way. No bouncing/barking or anything like that.

Out of NOWHERE my horse turned round and kicked the shit out of that poor dog. I didn't get a chance to react until it was all over. Luckily the dog was fine but the poor animal was sent flying. I was mortified.

[pinktrufflechoc]

I have both horses and dogs and I agree with you OP.

It's the attitude as much as anything. I'll generally oblige anyone with anything if they ask nicely.

[mrsdavidbowie]

I am currently sitting in a and e as DS was thrown off a horse after a dog bounded up to it barking, off a lead.
So YABU

[pinktrufflechoc]

But the OP has said her dogs do not run up to horses.

I'm sorry your DS was hurt but that's a separate issue: it was an untrained dog that scared the horse.

[TooMuchRain]

Depends on the horse and dog really. As a dog-walker I tend to take mine off lead when we go past horses because then she can move away and hide instead of barking at them. No-one has ever asked me to put her on lead but I wouldn't mind. As an occasional rider, I would be nervous about forwards if the dogs were on the bridleway in front of me in case they got trodden on - horses are heavy!

[Branleuse]

i think if someone on a horse asks you to put your dog on a lead, you should do so. A rider on a horse around dogs is in danger of having their kneck broken if they get startled and come off. You can let Rover off his lead when you're not on the bridlepath anymore.
I have dogs, i have a car, and i am always super careful and courteous round horses. It only takes one incident.

[anonacfr]

But the OP has said her dogs do not run up to horses.

Look at what happened to me- calm dog, placid horse routinely indifferent to dogs. You just can't predict animals.

[Coffeemarkone]

Branleuse is right - horses are really unpredictable and having unknown dogs gambolling about on a bridle path could be quite scary.
I know you said your dog doesn't run up to horses but dogs are unpredictable too.
Sometimes people really do not mean to sound rude, they are just freaking out.

[TheWitTank]

I will give the other side of the story here. I regularly encounter dog walkers on the bridleways I ride on, absolutely fine, no issue there. Most will grab the dog while we pass, great, we always thank them. We have the occasional one who will have their dog so far ahead of them they have no control whatsoever. Having had to wait a good 5 minutes for the owner of a snapping, barking pair of collies the other day who blocked the bridleway while riding a luckily very well tempered 18hh horse was pretty shit. No apology either. Put it this way, it's far harder for me to continue my 18hh half tonne horse around your dog than the other way around. If it runs under my horses hooves (I've had this too!) or close behind in an aggressive way or not, don't blame me if it gets booted or trodden on. It takes what -20 seconds to get hold of your dog momentarily while they pass? Surely this is fairly easy? Plus,it's bloody hard finding places to actually ride safely these days, especially if you want to have a decent canter. You can use footpaths too, we can't. No, they shouldn't be rude to you, but I would probably ask if you could grab your dog while we passed by you too (in a nice way!).

[nicestrongtea]

YABVVU
You may know your dogs but you don't know the horse.
Putting your dog on a lead is a basic courtesy around other animals.

[Pardonwhat]

As both a horse and dog owner I believe YABU.

[Coffeemarkone]

Also you might just think they are 'arrogant and standoffish' due to your pre conceptions of horse owners/riders. IME.

[Lurkedforever1]

Yanbu if your dogs don't approach the horses. Some dog owners are entitled arses who allow their dog to approach horses and bother them. Some horse owners are entitled arses who think people with well trained dogs should keep them on a lead to reassure them. I would say both mindsets are selfish and knobbish. No reason for each group to assume the worst of each other though and be rude just incase the other turns out to be a knob.

[shadowfax07]

As both a horse rider and a dog owner, I always recall my dog when horses are around without being asked to. I don't know how the horse is going to react, and I really don't fancy the vets bills or having to nurse my dog after he's been kicked.

[wotoodoo]

You should always put your dog on a lead if you're on a bridlepath. May be they are rude to you because they have encountered your rudeness countless times before!

[Mulligrubs]

You should put your dog on a lead around horses. Horses (and dogs but particularly horses) can be unpredictable. Since a spooked horse could injure or kill someone and you're on a bridle path you should put your dog on a lead when you come across a horse.

[Wolfiefan]

Your dogs may be great round horses. What if the horse bolts and you can't get your dog back to you in time?

[LazyLouLou]

"This is a bridle path you know" reminding you that you were on notice that you were likely to meet horses.

I replied that it was also a footpath! but as not every footpath is not also a bridleway, see point 1.

She was clearly grumpy that I was walking up the footpath with my dogs they could not have a good canter. yes, as it is a bridleway, see point 1

They could have waited until I was at the end. as could you.

My dogs do not approach horses and are very used to walking pass them. they do not bark or skitter or anything. no, you mean your dogs have not approached horses.

They never say good morning, are v cold and standoffish, so do not feel predisposed to dive into the nettles to benefit their ride!! yes, well your dog is off a lead, it bothers them. And have they ever asked you to leap into certain death?

YABVVU. All you had to do was put your dog on a lead.

[wannaBe]

I don't understand why you wouldn't just bring your dogs back as a matter of courtesy. I have a guide dog whose behavior off lead is impeccable, but I always call him back if we're walking on the bridal path, not least because I wouldn't want him to be kicked by a horse.

[LilacWine7]

YABU. On a bridle-path your dogs should be on a lead (or walking to heel if they're very well-trained and reliable). Otherwise they may spook horses or get in the way. Bridle-paths are one of the few places you can have a nice canter, so yes it is annoying when pedestrians and dog-walkers prevent this. Why not use normal footpaths instead?