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!!

Now I think of it, the thing that really bugs me, when on a horse or bike, is those effing extendable leads. Who thought of those? It's a good way to be completely out of control of your dog whilst simultaneously being able to trip up anyone in a 5 metre circle around you.

Agreed, Gabilan, they should be bloody banned!

YABVU

Perhaps the riders could be more polite but as you're not exactly behaving perfectly yourself I'd say it is pretty even on that score.

I have horses and dogs. Both dogs and horses can be unpredictable, and although you think they'll be fine you can never be 100% sure.

My DD's pony is a pretty bomb-proof schoolmistress, but even she has her moments very occasionally.

My dogs are also very used to horses, and have never batted an eyelid, but I still bring them back to heel and make them sit when horses (and cyclists, runners or other dogs) are passing. Why do I do this? Because although I don't think they will approach/ bark/ attack the horses (or cyclist/runner or other dog), I cannot categorically be 100% sure that they might do something daft for no apparent reason and I don't want to take the risk of hurting the rider, the dog or the horse for the sake of a few minutes.

You should have your dogs under control- the fact that you might have to "dive into the nettles" to get your dog makes me wonder how under control your dog is. I actually don't mind if dogs are on or off leads as long as they are under control and have good recall. I am not one of those people who think dogs must be on leads at all times and think they are entitled to let off some steam- but if you are going to do this in public places (such as footpaths or bridleways), then you need to be sure that your dog will come if called (accepting some degree of risk that a usually reliable dog can behave out of character).

You say your dogs don't approach the horses (so far) but how do the riders know that? For that matter, what is to say that although they have not done so yet at some point your dog might approach one of the horses? Or come out from the undergrowth unexpectedly? It's also possible the horse may be a youngster or have previously been attacked by a dog or just feeling spooky that day.

Your actions are potentially putting the rider, your dog and the horse in a dangerous position, all for the sake of a few minutes (and to make a point). Not sure it's really worth the risk, personally.

Are you sure a rider should be having a canter on a public bridleway. What the law say about that.

Just checked. Seems you can as long as you dont tuff up the ground or frighten any livestock and be aware of other users. As a walker i must admit ive never seen a rider canter and usually they very friendly.

Londonrach

There is no law against cantering on bridleways (in Scotland at least). There is guidance that riders should ride at a pace that is suitable to the conditions.

"the rider has a duty not to start panicking because it's not physically attached to the owner. "

Yes unfortunately some riders don't quite get that. The calmer you stay yourself, the more likely your horse is to remain calm. If, every time you see a dog you tense up, you're basically teaching your horse that dogs are something to worry about.

YABVU. You know that your dog behaves around horses. The riders don't. You also don't know how the horses will react to the dog.

All animals are unpredictable. You would do well to remember that.

"the bridlepath gives them the right of way"

"As a walker i must admit ive never seen a rider canter"

In England walkers have right of way on bridleways and horse riders must give way to them. Cyclists must give way to both riders and walkers. And of course you can canter on a bridleway, it's what they're there for. But no, you shouldn't do it on unsuitable ground and you should walk past walkers, otherwise you'll scare the shit out of them.

what is so bad about putting your dog on a lead?

Yabu, why be so awkward? You come across as more than a little childish.

Another YAB(V)U

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

Not so far, but they are dogs, not Einstein. The bright ones have a brain the size of a raisin and they can do unpredictable things. And horses and nearly as clever as their owners seem to think.

Why not use normal footpaths instead?

Because walkers have just as much right to use a bridle path.

The point here is that the dog owner must be seen to control the dog ,call it and put on the lead to allow the rider the confidence to progress past,
knowing for sure it is safe to do so

Your dog might highly trained, it could do that dog dancing shite wearing a top hat, but the rider doesn't know that!

My old horse was petrified of dogs, i would ask walkers politely to put a dog on a lead and also give the reason.
As a dog owner if i was asked by anyone i would put the dog on a lead. For his safety and incase someone else was scared of dogs.

Everyone has been talking about how people should have their dogs under control at all times. I completely agree with this.

But for all you horse riders who are talking about their horse spooking unexpectedly or kicking a dog, surely you should have your horse under control too? I don't know much about horses but I cannot believe that a horse that throws someone off or kicks is under control. It's either a horse problem, or a rider problem, but there is something wrong there.

Horses are a lot bigger than dogs Carrie, so physically it would be harder to control a horse than a dog anyway.

YABU. It doesn't matter how well trained your dog is, they are animals. Put your dog on the lead.

On MN dogs rank just above threadworms and a bit lower than cockroaches.

In the same way as a a gentle well trained dog/cat can bite/scratch out of nowhere (when startled/in pain etc) the most relaxed well trained horse can get skittish and considering their size and weight can cause damage.

They're all animals. Animals are all unpredictable. It's not a horse problem or a rider problem.

Bun I understand horses are a lot bigger, so surely we shouldn't be forgiving the lack of control over them.

We only see horses on the roads here, not anywhere that I walk the dog. I would be fuming if a horse threw off a rider because it saw my dog. The insunuation that I would be to blame for doing the same thing as the rider - owning an animal and exercising it - is ridiculous. Don't ride a horse if you aren't a good enough rider.

YABU, you cannot with 100% certainty say that your dogs will never approach a horse and spook them. Your dogs are not under your total command, the same goes for the horses with their riders.

limited not dogs. Dog owners.

It wouldn't occur to me not to put dog on a lead when passing a horse.
I do the same when approaching children, my dog is very well controlled, walks to heel etc, but I dont know how the children or horses feel about strange dogs. Putting on a lead until passed them is common sense isn't it?