Tell me there was no harm done, then offer to adopt two filthy stinking dogs

[Toooldtobearsed]

I don't need any lectures - I am beating myself up enough about this, just want some feedback please, if you know about horses.

My two are reasonably obedient usually and I am working hard with their training. I do not let them off lead unless we are in an area where I have a clear line of vision because they are over enthusiastic greeters of other dogs, and being Labradors, it must be frightening to see two of them charging towards you!

So, today on a track, off lead, ddog1 finds a way into a paddock with 8 or so horses in it. How, I still do not know. Pup follows him in by squirming under barbed wire.

Dogs chase horses to end of field then stop. Horses then chase dogs to other end. Repeat ad nauseum, whilst I am frantically screaming at them and trying to get into the field. The horses did not seem stressed, ears were not pinned back, they almost seemed to be playing with the dogs.

Eventually, because they were knackered the dogs responded to me, came back and I managed to drag them under the barbed wire.

Horses came over, en masse and looked over the hedging.

So, after an essay, my question is; were the horses upset? It has been on my mind since I flung the dogs into the utility room to dry off. I hate the thought that they may have been in distress and just want a horsey person to put my mind at rest please.

Too Old, relax and stop worrying. From your description, it sounds to me that the horses were not stressed. It may have been the most exciting and athletic thing to happen to them for weeks.

Obviously it could have gone tits up, but it didn't.

As for adopting the filthy stinkers, I regretfully must turn you down. I have two filthy stinkers of my own, both of whom have been raised on a farm. Both have (goodhumouredly, like yours) chased stock on a few occasions and caused me to wail and gnash my teeth, and both are now entirely stockproof and can run off lead through a field of sheep or horses without so much as turning a hair.

If this is the worst thing that the filthy stinkers ever do, they will be doing very well.

Oh God, Korma that is horrendous!

Is she okay now?

I have cal,ed down a bit. DH came in from work and told me I was lucky they had not been shot, so no sympathy there, but the shock has worn off now, so feeling a bit better.

Thanks for the reassuring words villainous, it helps to stop me feeling like an irresponsible tit

Oh God love you, OP it happens!

It wouldn't have bothered my horses but as PP say the danger is that one could have accidentally kicked one of the dogs. Really, the fencing should have been secure. Accidents happen with the best will in the world.

My dog ran into a restaurant once

I won't ever let my dog off lead again, except for an area for dog walkers only that is fenced in.

Not worth the risk for me, had too many near misses, involving traffic, cows etc.

Don't be too hard on yourself, it was a mistake and you'll learn from it. I don't know any dog that has 100% perfect recall on all occasions (prepared to be corrected).

I am the female version of 'Jesus Christ Fenton' man......

I agree with korma
It would be worrying if you didn't give a shit but the fact that you feel awful about what happened shows that you are a responsible owner and will do everything you can to not let it happen again.

This recent story from Horse and Hound illustrates what can happen when dogs chase horses. (Warning, upsetting) [[http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/dog-attack-horse-impaled-488555 story ]]

Sounds like one of those horrendous things that give us all nightmares as dog owners.

Poor you Tooold! I've got two asbo labs and horses, so can see both sides.

Initially the horses probably got a shock and ran a bit, when they turned and chased the dogs they could well have been annoyed, but most sensible horses would settle down. I've got one horse that likes my maddest lab and does play with him. My other horse hates him and sometimes chases him with the intention of flattening him.

Learn from it. Try and find someone with horses who would let your dogs have a sniff and a look. Most dogs bark at horses because they're afraid. I often stop my horses for people out walking with dogs to have a look at. Most dogs get bored and calm down while the owner has a chat.

Wasnt being sarky. One of my dogs would totally do the same thing given half a chance. Shes a PITA, and i keep her on a retractable lead unless it really definitely absolutely is clear

Honey they are, actually, smashing when we meet horses on a walk, they sit nicely, don't bother them in the least.

Thinking back, I think ddog1 got into field specifically to roll in crap. Horses starting trotting around him to see what was happening and he just got over excited by them. No excuse, but they see horses all the time and never show any interest usually.

Bran sorry - as I said upthread, I thought I might be reading too much into the 'darling' bit, but it is the sort of thing I might say, if feeling sarky

Thanks for all the feedback, good, bad and supportive - all very much appreciated.

toold don't beat yourself up, accidents happen. Your dogs are fine. The horses are fine ( and if one was mine thank you for making the fat thing exercise)

I have the opposite issue in that I have a horse that thinks he's a Labrador. It would have made his year if your two had gone to play with him! We have a footpath through our field but we had to put a second fence up cause he keeps stalking poor dogs minding their own business!

Brilliant Ark

Thanks for making me smile

Don't beat yourself up about it. Everbody is safe and fine. Who knows if they horses were stressed or not, I've known horses to be terrified of dogs, others charge at them. Others, like my friends pony, love chasing dogs so they chase them back.

Maybe put them on a lead next time. But it was a mistake. Don't be upset for too long Op x

I think OP is right to think the horses saw it as a game. Maybe an irritating game like a 3yo that keeps demanding that mummy stop cleaning & instead play with dollies.

It will depend on the horses. We have horses and we seem to often have other people's horses (uninvited guests) and we also have a labrador, he will occasionally run and bark at an uninvited guest, especially if said guest is right next to the house. I have never seen a horse even slightly phased by this. We regularly have a pack of strays (dogs not horses) that randomly decide to run into the fields and bark at the horses. To say the horses don't give a shit would be an understatement. Humans only need to approach and they bolt though (go figure). These are not nervous horses though, I think a nervous horses might be a different story.

Thanks all,
Back to normal now (whatever that is).

Just to clarify, neither of my dogs bark at all - well, little one did once, at the window cleaner - so there was no running at and barking at the horses, just running.....

It was one of those walks that I just discovered that day, we won't be going back. I have plenty of 'safe' walks, where they can run themselves ragged off lead with no livestock to worry about

But, a huge thank you for reassuring me. As I said in my OP, it really did look as though the horses were joining in the game, even coming to the hedge and reaching their heads over. I thought they were saying 'bye, do come back soon'!

We have lots of tethered ponies on common land around here and neither dog take a blind bit of notice of them, nor horses with riders. I am hoping this was just a once off, but certainly won't be taking any risks in the future.

Thank you for your replies