Note: You must be registered in order to post a reply. To register, click here. Registration is FREE!
T O P I C R E V I E W
Kharidian
Posted - 22 Dec 2011 : 3:28:26 PM It's a gorgeous day today (and it is a day off - bonus!) so I took Roger for a lovely, 8 mile hack. Going down through Gusted Hall woods a Huskie-type dog bounded up and proceeded to bounce all around Roger. He ignored it and kept walking - he knew it was no threat. Dog's owner was nowhere in sight so another dog walker took its collar so we could continue. When I saw the dog's owner (at least 50 yards away) and grumbled that dogs should be under control on a public right of way she said "Well, we couldn't see you, it's not like we let the dog off deliberately to chase you and it's a right of way so everyone is allowed". I said that if Roger wasn't so good the dog could have caused an accident and re-iterated that dogs should be under close control.
We then did a circuit of Jubilee Park and on the way back through the woods a medium-sized mongrel ran at Roger's back legs, growling and looking very threatening. Luckily, Roger merely swung his quarters round and gave a little threat-kick (deliberately not making contact) and the dog backed off. Owner did and said NOTHING.
Later there was a mum sitting on a bench on a bridleway, watching an approximately a 6 year old girl and a boxer dog running madly through a field of seedling arable crops, then the dog decided it would be great fun to bound around Roger (again, playfully so Roger didn't do anything). I was a bit cross by this time and said that if my horse kicked the dog it would serve it right. The mum told the kid to catch the dog (it dragged her around and she didn't bother to get off her a*se to help). I felt like telling her to get back to a city if she didn't know howe to behave in the countryside but I didn't want to argue in front of the child.
I give up. Good job Roger is
Bah humbug Caryn
6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
zooscat
Posted - 25 Dec 2011 : 8:05:25 PM Went for an early ride this morning on Aragon the Paragon; quiet walk round our next door huge country park which has clearly marked dog tracks and horse tracks. Owners of dogs are warned by large wooden boards re horse tracks and asked to keep dogs on leads. Horse riders are asked to watch out for walkers and dog walkers and go past carefully. Guess who can read best! Well, that's the most polite reason I can think of for the fleets of out of control terriers, chihuahuas, yorkies, collies, a pair of huge huskies towing the very fat owner behind them (perhaps they thought he was a sledge...) and a very large red dog that looked like a cross between a Hereford bullock and a bear! The owners were too busy having rows, shouting at their out of control children, talking/texting on their mobiles to notice the wretched things rushing round, past, under and through A's legs! (and a Happy Christmas being had by all - not!) I do wonder why they bother having dogs because they weren't taking any notice of them or appearing to be enjoying their walks! Oh well - no harm done to dogs (A is very careful not to step on any furry thing) but my Christmas smile was a bit fixed by the time we got home!
Pheebs
Posted - 24 Dec 2011 : 6:51:46 PM I am fortunate in that my boy finds dogs on the whole rather entertaining whatever they may be doing, but I have been in some sticky situations in the past with far less tolerant horses and feel equally as annoyed that people are so inconsiderate!
Honeyb060674
Posted - 24 Dec 2011 : 5:06:01 PM Roger really is a saint I've had a few run in's with dog owners, usually beginning with a polite "Is there any chance you could possibly get hold of your dog" and on one occassion resorting to "You're not going to be too pleased at the vet bill when my horse caves your dogs head in...!!" (insert expletives where appropriate. This was directed at two women who were mindlessly ambling along chatting whilst their beloved collie tried hanging off my horses tail
alison
Posted - 24 Dec 2011 : 1:24:54 PM A couple of years ago my friend and I were taking part in a sponsored ride of about 25 miles. We were trotting along a country lane and arrived opposite a large field, as I looked up I could see a massive Rottweiler charging across the field towards us, and up ahead was an unmanned railway crossing. I said a quick prayer as I thought we were in serious trouble, the dog was accompanied by two very young girls (roughly 6 and 9) and I was so horrified as I new we stood no chance as these young girls would never be able to recall the - now in full flight - Rottweiler. Well lo and behold the girl hollered and the dog stopped and trotted back up the hill to her, I was dumbfounded and amazed but also so thankful that this was obviously a very very well trained dog. I hate to think what would have happened if he hadn't listened Alison
Kes
Posted - 24 Dec 2011 : 09:12:47 AM I have had numerous arguments with dog owners (I own 3 dogs myself) regarding control over the years. I even got thrown once after 3 GSD's flew out from nowhere and startled the youngster I was riding. My basic argument is that I never tear around the countryside, for canters and gallops I keep to wide open spaces where I can see any people or dogs. If a dog chases me I always say to people that if I am being respectful, courteous and in control of my horse why can't you do the same with your dog? I frequently end up calling out 'can someone come and catch the GSD, Husky, Collie, Spaniel........etc' so I can proceed with my ride, the problem I tend to find is that owners just vanish and dogs seem to follow me, I walked down a gallop stretch once for about a mile with 2 JRT's in tow (I did return though).
Quarabian
Posted - 22 Dec 2011 : 6:05:44 PM Roger is an angel.
We had exactly the same with dogs chasing sheep in Sheffield. If I here once more that Fido doesn't mean any harm, only playing I will buy a gun. Not serious, I couldn't kill a dog, but I might get put in jail for shooting the owner.
) I do wonder why they bother having dogs because they weren't taking any notice of them or appearing to be enjoying their walks!
