Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your horse, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your horse, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The tack room
Horse kicked a dog...
MrsDaffs · 26/05/2016 12:42
Out for a ride today through some fields and as we were coming back through the second on my horse spooked.
I saw a walker and a dog...fine...not a problem, the Walker saw me. Horse is fine with dogs .
Next thing I know dog has bolted towards us barking and jumping up at my horses face.
Horse bolted a few meters then I managed to get him back under resonable control but he was freaking.
Walked has started calling dog but didn't particularly rush to come over until my horse started spinning.
By this point digs running circles, barking, taking no notice of owner or me.
This carries on for a few minutes....owner by this point obviously realizes that it's not a safe situation and tryst his hardens to catch his dog and flaps the lead around (not helpful but I appreciate the thought behind it)
He says to me 'can't you just gallop off' to which I reply surely your dog is going to chase?
My thoughts were try and keep control until the dog is caught. Surely if I let me horse bolt across a field a) it's dangerous for me and him and b) the dog has a very high chance of following in which case the owner has even less control and the we are back on a road...
Anyway....after a few minutes of palava I hear a thud....dog yelps and stops...my horse stops...owner goes to dog and the whack it one as well 
the realizes that hes been kicked.
I hang around ask if he's OK where was he kicked....his front leg doesn't look good.
Owner tells me it's fine and to go...I say are you sure and he says yes which way are you going. I head off and get home in one piece but very shaken.
The thud is ingrained in my head 
I am assuming legally it's the dog owners fault but just wondered what I should do next? If anything?
I am also insanely proud of my horse. He's a ex racer and we have had our problems but I can't help being proud of him that he listened and really tried his hardest to hold it together and didn't bolt blindly home.
Horse is barefoot so no shoes but I know he got a good one in...the force of a horses kick on anything is a hard one.
I'm also a dog owner of a dog who has her moments but I never let her off I don't think I can't keep her under control and I am always on the lookout for 'triggers' so I can get her back before its a problem.
MrsSpecter · 26/05/2016 12:47
How scary for you!! I hope you and horse are well settled now. You did well to keep him under control. Wish the same could have been said for dog owner. Its a pity their dog was injured but it was entirely their fault! I speak as a dog parent owner. Always always always put dog on lead as soon as i see other dogs, children or animals.
MrsDaffs · 26/05/2016 12:49
I'm home now....very shaken.
Horse is fine..happy to be home I expect
My hacking confidence isn't the best anyway but I was getting over it.
I don't know what else I could have done just feel awful about the bloody dog
GreenMarkerPen · 26/05/2016 12:50
no you did nothing wrong and both you and horse did extremely well!
that's the risk of dog ownership. they were lucky that you and the horse were not injured!
trevortrevorslatterfry · 26/05/2016 12:52
Don't you feel bad about the dog - obviously as an animal lover yourself it will be hard not to, but it was entirely the owner's fault.
I have a dog and no horse and would think myself entirely at fault if it had been my dog.
Buggers · 26/05/2016 13:00
Don't feel bad. Was completely the dog owners fault and most dogs would back off from a horse acting like that before being kicked by it. The dog will be fine, it's just lucky it wasn't kicked in the head as that would be much more serious. Owner will take it to a vet to get leg checked if he feels anything is wrong. Well done to you for keeping calm though.
CallMeMousie · 26/05/2016 13:01
Ddog is used to horses and about the size of a large cat but this is exactly why I still always put him on the lead when we pass riders - too many moving parts and if he got kicked it would be his own bloody fault (or mine, as his owner). I sure the dog will be ok and I wouldn't think you responsible at all!
CharminglyGawky · 26/05/2016 13:07
You have an amazing horse that dealt amazingly with a horrid situation! (And I assume you must be a good rider as well to keep him so under control!)
It was totally the dog owner's fault! I hope doggy is ok but really it is not your fault.
I have a dog, we have come across horses on walks, I have no idea how she would react to a horse since she has never had a chance to. If I see a horse she is recalled and put on lead, the risks are too great!
MrsDaffs · 26/05/2016 13:16
Not sure on amazing rider but I have a sticky bum and some good balance it seems and a very good bond with my horse which I think was our saving grace.
We've had issues with me on top and trust....on the ground he will trust me with his life but up top has been a battle...though after today I am a little bit overwhelmed that he trusted me over his instance to run.
It crossed my mind at one point 'oh shit I'm coming off' but I was more concerned what would happen if I did between horse and dog.
I don't even want to think about how bad it could have been .
I'd like to know the dog was ok though but I don't think I can....a vet isn't likely to give me any info if it's been taken in??
Still can't believe how persistent the dog was...I don't think it was a particularly nasty dog but a horse is a big animal to a dog and it had some balls to keep having a cra k
MrsSpecter · 26/05/2016 13:22
Well the only positive is that maybe this dog will have enough of a sore leg to put him off attacking any other horses in future.
Gide · 29/05/2016 20:01
Brutally, it may teach the dog a much needed lesson. It was my biggest fear when I was riding, loose dogs. Legally, the dog was 'out of control' in a public place as the owner couldn't recall it, so you aren't liable for injuries. Ethically and morally, you did nothing wrong. It would be a shame if the dog were hurt, but not your fault. I think you sounded like you were very cool headed, well done.
mangocoveredlamb · 29/05/2016 20:12
My dog is a bugger with horses, I think she thinks they're big dogs and then gets confused when they don't react as she expects. Obviously we're vigilant about leads when in horsey areas, but don't go to them often, and we are always working on recall.
I think you sound like you did really well in a horrible situation and that is what I would expect to happen if my dog bothered a horse.
Moanranger · 30/05/2016 14:23
Well done, you & your mount! I have ridden for years in places shared with completely clueless dog owner. (Commons around greater London) The first thing I say when confronted by out of control dog is: "my horse will kick your dog" and this is repeated ad nauseum until owner eventually gets control. So far no horse of mine has kicked a dog. I will, sometimes, turn my horse towards dog & ride at him, so dog sees how big horse is, and turns tail. This also helps to teach horse not to be so afraid. ( I won't do this with aggressive dogs, but lots are just stupid!) I have had many, many dog confrontations, unfortunately.
I think your horse responded well & got a great lesson. Don't spend a second worrying about the dog - lucky it wasn't a direct blow to head.
Dog -walker should be taken to task for not keeping his dog under control.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.