Right of Way, Horse & Dog

[Beastiee]

I'll try to keep this short.

I've got a dog, he's always on a lead when we're out. I live rurally, the field next to my garden is the only route to reach any public footpaths to walk my dog. The field has a public right of way across it as it's on a designated national trail.

It's owned by a neighbour who has just put a horse on the land. My dog has no reaction whatsoever to horses, he ignores all livestock. The horse he's put on the field is clearly agitated by my dog, as I try to walk across the field (I pick my time, when the horse is the furthest away) the horse will run up and sniff at the dog's back end and sort of push him, I'm assuming this is a warning of 'get away'.

Again, my dog ignores totally as I swiftly walk across the field, but the horse will follow and keep pushing him until we're out the gate. It's happened twice now.

Obviously I don't want the dog, or me, to get kicked/attacked by the horse so I can't walk across the field again to risk it - would I be unreasonable to tell the owner his horse is causing an issue? Neighbour has form for being difficult.

the horse sounds friendly. However there is always a risk if you take a dog into a field with any livestock and that risk is yours.

The horse so far has done nothing wrong to the landowner is perfectly able to keep his horse there.

He chose to own a field with a public footpath and right of way.

And you chose to have to do this particular walk with a dog.

Let’s face it rights if way are and where intended for humans originally not dogs in fields of livestock. Originally.

You're absolutely right, he's 'able to keep his horse there'. If you'd like to read my posts I don't think I've said otherwise.

You’ve really seen multiple dogs killed by one kick from a horse? That’s heart breaking and probably negligence on one side or the other.

Also owned dogs and horses all my life but never seen this. How tragic.

Thank you again to the sensible posters with actual advice and experience.

If a field with a public footpath has horses or cows in I avoid it like the plague. It's not worth it IMHO.

You're right that the public has the right to be there - but - the farmer has just as much right to keep a horse there if he wants. It's his land.

If you choose to cross a field containing cattle, you're expected to use your common sense. The landowner is only liable if they have been informed that their animals are a danger and choose to do nothing about it.

Otherwise, their only responsibility is to keep the path clear and safe and to maintain fencing, gates and stiles.

Same here, the risk is too great, especially if there are calves around.

Last summer I was out walking and the exit to our field was blocked with cows and calves - we chose to do a 2-3 mile detour rather than attempt to get through alone. Cows can and do kill people.

A farmer once told me that the reason cows are so dangerous is because they're both strong and stupid

@Silverdogblue yes- I work in an emergency vets. It’s not as uncommon as you would think sadly.

The public only have the right to cross the land on the designated footpaths. The owner of that land has the right to put livestock in the field and it is up to the public to chose whether they then use the footpath. It is very much at their own risk as they should be aware that they are crossing a privately owned field which may, or may not, contain livestock.

Horses are very rarely aggressive. They are prey animals and would usually only act defensively.

I have horses and dogs. I am very wary of unknown horses (and dogs!) Absolutely no chance I'd physically push someone else's horse away from me. One of mine would keep her distance if you carried a stout walking stick and looked like you meant business. My other one would take that as unacceptably aggressive in his own field, and probably escalate the situation - you just can't always guess.

If the neighbour is part way reasonable, would they come and walk across the field with you, and show you the best way of managing that particular horse? I'll be honest though, I would always be very uncomfortable of a horse that barges into my space like that, and who is likely being stuffed with treats by other walkers which will only encourage it.

Also, it's especially likely to be unpredictable if it's being kept on its own - horses really need company. If you're lucky, the owner will take it off the grass when it gets muddy...

That was absolutely not clear in your post. I think it was slightly disingenuous it to say so.

Road tax isn't actually a thing. Itvwas abolished in 1937. It is vehicle excise duty and has absolutely nothing to do with roads.
Might be an idea to actually know what you are talking about if you are going to attempt to use comparisons.

You only have a case if the horse is known to be dangerous. The assumption is that it is not (as is the case with sheep, goats, cats, dogs (mostly), cows etc and can be kept in a field cross by a right of way.

I have horses and I would suggest that you have a chat with the owner and ask how best to discourage their horse from getting too close. Ultimately safety comes by keeping distance between you and the horse.
It's OK to guess that ears forward means horse is friendly but we're not there. If you know horses then you know when you can be reasonably safe close in to them and asking them to move away, and also when it might not be the best idea. Horses being sent away sometimes spin and kick their heels.

One of our mares will attack dogs in the field. Not dogs out walking with us when we ride, but dogs in her territory. She starts ears forward, trotting with a high step, front legs really lifting, picking up speed towards the dog, then at the last minute her ears go back and she goes for the strike. I witnessed it once when too far away to stop her and it was pretty horrible, but luckily the dog realised at the last minute and was agile and fast. It was a wake up call for the trespassing dog walking owners though I think.
So Op I'd ask the owner what is best to do with their horse. Poor thing will be likely to attach themselves to living beings in their field. They are herd animals, not suited to living alone.

Some horses are dog killers. My experience is, if they are, they come in on the attack. They don't mosey along. That said, they're big unpredictable animals. They are strong (can rip muscle from bone with their teeth) and kicks are deadly.

Personally I won't handle my dog and horse together as I can't give each the attention needed to keep them safe. So I wouldn't walk my dog through a field with a horse I don't know.

If I were you, I'd speak to neighbours and see if there is another route to get you to where you want to be.

If the horse is new to the land, it will naturally be inquisitive, they are by nature, nuzzling your dog isn't an act of aggression, if it was bothered by your dog in an aggressive manner, ears would be pinned back, striking out with front legs, trying to bite, turning it's rear to kick, would be the response.

In a few weeks time, it probably won't even take any notice of you.

Horses are also herd animals, it could be lonely, taken from somewhere it knew to a new home on its own.

Horses can be scary to non horsey folk, I understand that, as PP suggest, don't feed it, say hello, keep walking as usual, eventually it will get bored and pay you no attention.

And you chose to live in a property where the only dog walk that you deem suitable passes through a field which will, more likely than not, contain livestock.

What exactly is it that you expect the owner of the horse to do? Because it sounds like you’re not willing to budge in terms of your dog walk but somehow expect the horse owner to resolve this

It sounds fine and curious and friendly, don't know what you're so scared of, tbh

Field owner is legally obligated to provide a safe route for you so you can ask him to provide it or report the obstruction to the council who will demand it’s given

The horse is in his field and not attacking you or the dog, so everything is fine. You and your dog may walk through the field on the public footpath, if you don't feel comfortable doing that, then don't. There is no law that says animals shouldn't be in fields where there are paths.

Be very careful. My horse hated dogs with a passion, the staff at the yard had to stop taking the yard dogs to catch in, he'd try to stamp on them. Realistically, what will the owner of the field do? He's entitled to keep whatever he wants on his land.

A horse in a field isn't an obstruction.
Cows in fields aren't obstructions.
Sheep in fields aren't obstructions.
They are livestock and the landowner has every right to keep livestock in the field. The landowner doesn't have to provide a safe route through a field they just have to allow access to the footpath through the field, that's why bulls can be kept in fields with footpaths through.
Obviously you can't stop livestock from walking on the footpath because they aren't machines so as a walker you have to use your common sense as to whether the footpath is safe to use or not.