Taking your dog?

[TheGoshawk]

Posted about this yesterday, and re posted I. Chat where most people said 'No, don't do it!'. Does anyone else do this? I can stay off road but would like to take in parts of quiet lanes to access more off road hacking.

Dog is brilliantly behaved and safe, lanes very quiet and rural. I believe it is illegal though, to have a dog off lead on the road. Anyone else ride with their dog?

I do but in Scotland the control of dogs act doesn't state that off a lead is out of control, out of control is out of control as in no recall etc. none of our gundogs have done anything stupid but I'm pretty sure my WB could run them down and corner them if needed.

I'm pretty sure I couldn't catch mine! Hopefully wouldn't need to though. It's lovely isn't it?

We would never ride with ours. he could go anywhere if he saw a bunny or bird he could chase. Not safe for him and certainly not safe for other road users. Also we need to concentrate on riding our ponies to the best of our abilities and we'd be distracted if our dog was out with us.

Current dog is the first I've been able to do it with (safely!). He just seems to go into a different mode when I'm mounted, keeps pace perfectly and ignores everything else.

I take mine, but not on roads. I think if he's well behaved then why not? Although maybe take a lead with you and get off to lead both horse and hound when on the roads - that way neither is 'out of control' yet you still get to enjoy your dog's company whilst out hacking...

That's a good idea. Feels far more dangerous to me but it keeps us within the law at least!

Yes, I have had my instructor's dog accompany me on hacks, but she is well trained and is happy to just follow you. She is also fairly easy to control on voice commands, and will come on command. On the other hand, the owner's of the horse property had a dog that I would have to continually send home when I hacked as he nipped (and wore a muzzle when people were around). Also the only hacking I had around at the time was on roads. I think it depends on what would be acceptable in the area you are in.