Should Dogs Be at Horse Shows?

[pasofantasy]

I thought a poll was in order with the thread about an attack on a horse tunring into a debate of what should be allowed.

[Monty]

Good idea - just hope there is no ballot stuffing or hanging chads? ;-)

[SandyMM]

The poll doesn't give the option I would choose...
_No_ animal should be allowed on the grounds that is not under the direct and safe control of its owner, trainer, handler, or rider - and that includes horses.

There was one very serious dog/horse incident at Asheville caused by a non-show person who used exceedingly poor judgement in bringing an inappropriately restrained dog, but there were a number of horses DQ'd/excused from the show ring specifically for safety issues and bad manners. Seems to me that a horse that isn't fully focused on his rider/handler and is on the raggedy edge of exploding in the ring, isn't ready for 'Prime Time' and shouldn't be there either. (The horse attacked by the dog was being hand-grazed in the camping area and was under control prior to the attack.)

As far as banning every dog because they might bark or because one dog attacked one horse - no. Would we bring _our_ dog, no. He isn't used to being around crowds or horses and it wouldn't be appropriate for him or responsible of us.

The fans being turned on at Asheville were _far_ more annoying than the one or two barks I heard...

[pasofantasy]

I tried to think of every way a dog could be controlled. Also, I thought, I could edit this if necessary, but I can only edit what I post. At least, that's all that shows when I tried to edit the poll.

[baileyholc]

I love my dog and he has been to the barn with me but I quite taking him when a border accused him of spooking her horse. I know my dog did not spook her horse cause he was under my chair at the time of the supposed spooking. She was spraying her horse and he moved his head and stomped his foot witch coused my dog to sit up witch loosend his chocker chain that made a clinking sound that she hurd. But becoase I didn't want to make trouble I didn't take my dog to the barn when I new she was going to be around. See my dog is very scedish and is afraid of everything. I was triying to get him usta being out and about and getting exposed to new things and people. He had spent the first four months of his life cooped up and when I got him I wonted to brack him of it. He is now 4 years and I still can't get him to walk in to a vets office on his own. I know I won't take him to a show becouse I would not be able to get him to walk on the lead around the horses. I will not take both my girls to a horse show becouse I know they would be bickering back and forth and make the day a misserable one for me. I will in fact take one at a time and have done so. The one usually stikes with me and will ask to leave to go get something or look around but she know to walk and not run.

Oh BTW, Buddy had also been chased by the same horse that I mentioned above, It happend the day before he supposedly spooked the horse. Thats why Buddy was under my chair.

[Serendipity]

baileyholc,your smart to not take your dog then.Some dogs can't handle it just like some horses can't.And knowing the differance makes you one of the smart ones.

If you know your dog/horse you know what you can or can not do with them.We have another dog at home Sparkx shes wolf and border collie that is horse and people freindly but is mildly dog aggresive.So she does not go where theres loose dogs like horse shows we will take her to a car show once in a while due to that nature dogs tend to be ties

[pasohappy]

I just don't see why you would bring a dog to a horse show in the first place, what would the reason be. I have two dogs, and it has never crossed my mind to bring them to a horse show.
Our riding club had a sign at the entrance to the club,

THIS IS A HORSE EVENT, any body with dogs will be turned away. no excuses, It worked very well.

[moonrize]

I really don't mind well behaved dogs on leashes just about anywhere. That being said, it's all the idiots that think they have a well behaved dog on a leash that need to be banned. Plus all the idiots who don't think they have to clean up their dog's messes so the rest of us can step in it. YUCH. I have 3 dogs and don't ever take them to horseshows because I'm too busy to worry with the dogs - and that's the major problem too much going on and people can't take appropriate care of their animals.

[Mona Lisa]

I have a standard poodle that I have brought to shows in the past. Because we have added more animals to the house I now have a pet sitter to come in and take care of them.

I would put my poodle in a crate in the tack stall, and then out on a leash when it was potty time or time to go to the hotel. I can think of at least three times while walking my poodle loose dogs came up to us. I am not sure where the owners were. Folks would even tie dogs to the outside of their stalls. Even the friendliest of dogs will bite given the right circumstances.

Mona

[motorgypsy]

I would honestly be afraid to walk my dog on a leash at a horse show on the grounds because we've seen too many loose dogs on show grounds. It's not fun to have your dog on a leash being attacked by one whose owner is nowhere to be seen or who is just standing there paralyzed.

[Serendipity]

This is getting a bit absurd,
if you don't want to bring a dog to a show then don't if you do and can take care of it then do,if you can then do and if a dog is out of line at the show tell someone that can and will do something.

What about the horses that are badly behaved that are climbing the stalls and kick the stalls apart thats not safe but it happens and everyone seems okay with this,I've moved stalls to be away from these types of horses talk about dangerous.

[motorgypsy]

Nicole these are legitimate concerns voiced by dog owners and show people who have personally had bad experiences with their dogs and others on show grounds. There are people who allow their dogs to run loose on show grounds. There were several at Asheville that we gave a wide berth to because they were not under the owner's control. Our next door neighbor had her chihuahua killed by a German Shepherd right in front of her eyes. It happens and it is good for people to know the risks so they can be minimized.

[baileyholc]

http://bestsmileys.com/eating1/5.gif

[CarolU]

Perhaps this thread needs to be locked too...it seems to be going in the same direction as the last one.

[Privatetreaty]

Dogs, especially non-farm dogs, are a liability around horses and people.

Everyone is excited at a show. Dogs can feel the heightened energy.
We all know that heightened energy can be a problem, if not controlled.

I have white German Shepherds with very little contact with horses.
When I took them to the barn and my mare wanted to meet them.
When I allowed them to smell the mare, all of the sudden, both of them wanted to nip at her face. I never took them to the barn again.

But I think what happened was and this is the crucial part of the horse/dog relationship:
the dogs realized the horse was a flight animal and their demeanor changed quickly.
This happened when they were only 10 months old !!!


By the way, Pit Bulls are illegal in Miami-Dade County.


A baby picture
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/Privatetreaty/DSCN5683.jpg

This was taken about two months ago (at 10 months)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/Privatetreaty/dogs.jpg

[JennLM]

Guess I have been lucky. ALL of our Newf and Newfmixes who have never seen a horse in their life (some being 6-7 yrs old when they come here) walk up, sit and lick the horse in the face. None have ever been aggressive or chase them. (The Aussie is a different story lol)

[Pasogirlz]

Helen, those pups need their own photo thread now that you can do them jsutice posting pix. ;-) And where are you horse pix btw? ;-)

[Serendipity]

motorgypsy/KyleS-I competely understand your conserns, But now what. I feel if the leash law(I believe most or all stats have this) was enforced there would less trouble.That would end the attacks(my dogs have never been hasseled at the show but it could happen) if the dog was off leash on the show grounds including in the camping area Fine the owner.

Then let the show decide if they come in the arena or not.pehaps this would be a easy solution and make everyone happy.I also liked the rule idea of sitting 3 or more rows up for dogs and kids.

For the instance of a dog haveing an accident in the arena area or one that barks again let an offical and ask that the dog that is the offender be removed.

This seems fair to me and fair to those that are around.

[Serendipity]

Doggy Etiquette at a Event

Dog must be on leash at all time while being handled

A crate to contain dog is a must have while dog is not handled

dog must be taken to a designated doggy area for bath room break

An accidents not in the doggy area must be picked up and deposed of properly and immediately

in passing a horse/dog/any other animal,ask owner if it is safe to pass by,if not go another way.

If dog has a tendency to bark,keep it out of any environment that echo's.

If dog shows any aggressive tendency's at all dog must be removed from event or place in the safety of a kennel/crate and only remove to have a bath room break.

Dog must have food and water offered many times a day especially in hot weather.

If dog is not allowed in a building heed signs,these are for everyone safety

If dog is allowed in the building be aware of the environment if the event is a horse show do not stand near the arena for any reason or near an activity where the dog could become frightened or aggressive or that dog would cause any distraction to those participating in the event.

When sitting down to watch the event ask those around you if they mind the dog if so move to another location as to be polite.

Never leave a dog unattended unless in a crate what has a lock on it.

Dogs love to play but only play in a no distraction and safe area like out side behind a building.

If being passed by a horse,car,bike or other modes of transportation pick dog up or stand in front of dog and maintain on very short leash to the safety of all those around you,some horse my kick at dogs so best to keep dog out of reach and safely behind owner.

All dogs traveling to an event should have a basic obedience course. Before taking a dog from home important commands dog must know are sit,down,stay,come,no and quiet and also all dogs should be house broken.

[pasofantasy]

This poll gave people an opportunity to express their desires without having to post. So far most of those responding favor dogs there in some capacity, but about half don't want them in the arena when adding that amount to those, who don't want them at all. Although I've seen lots of dogs at shows, even when stated against it, I didn't know so many wanted them there.

Nicole, thanks for some good tips!

[greyhorsewoman]

Coming from a professional dog participant background, I am the ultimate 'dog lover' and really would prefer dogs weren't a part of organized horse events (this does not include personal trailrides - there it is up to the individual who knows the terrain and their dogs) but too often owners feel 'their' dogs are perfectly OK around horses and fail to heed much of the advise listed above.

We had to ban dogs from our teampenning events last year when someone brought a young mastiff along with him to watch the event. The mastiff became excited when he stopped to talk to a rider and suddenly lunged for the horse's throat. The shear size and strength of this dog pulled the lead from the owner's hand and the horse was bitten/frightened/and the potential for a more serious outcome was opened up (thankfully the rider held on and wasn't injured). Our liability insurance company made the decision for us ... ban all dogs or we drop you. So now the policy is NO DOGS.

I'd like to clarify on the above list (IMHO) ... 'keeping your dog leashed does NOT include Flexis!' and keeping your dog crated does NOT include the new MESH crates! And if the dog 'has aggressive tendencies' DON'T bring it to an event to start with. The problem (as above) is that, sure the dog can be removed, but the damage is already done.

And just to add my own personal pet peeve ... please don't let your dogs ride in the back of open trucks! Besides being extremely unsafe for the dog, if you are in accident, it can become a projectile that could go through someone else's window (think of the damage of hitting a deer).

[baileyholc]

Good point Grayhorsewomen. And welcome to the board.http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/1.gif

[Blameitonbrio]

And just to add my own personal pet peeve ... please don't let your dogs ride in the back of open trucks! Besides being extremely unsafe for the dog, if you are in accident, it can become a projectile that could go through someone else's window (think of the damage of hitting a deer).

Thank you!!!!

[pasofantasy]

Thank you, GHW, for adding your expertise to this! Very good points! Nice to see you around! :D Miss our chats!

[pnalley]

I have 6 dogs.

3 live at the barn around the horses. If one of my horses spooks at a dog I'll shoot him!

Seroiusly, I'm happy my horses are used to dogs. But I do not appreciate loose dogs, barking dogs or aggressive dogs. It's a shame that a few bad OWNERS make all dogs unwelcome.

[CarolU]

So far most of those responding favor dogs there in some capacity, but about half don't want them in the arena when adding that amount to those, who don't want them at all. Although I've seen lots of dogs at shows, even when stated against it, I didn't know so many wanted them there.



You know I look at these results very differently. Nearly half the people do not want dogs at shows in any form. I don't think I would take my dogs someplace I knew they were not welcome...especially by so many. A public place is just that, for the enjoyment of everyone. It doesn't harm anyone else and I can enjoy it without my dogs.

[Edurne]

Perhaps this thread needs to be locked too...it seems to be going in the same direction as the last one.

woof woof remember the dog with the bone :D

[Terri]

Yep, time to let sleeping dogs lie.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/micomyhorse/dogwithnodignity.jpg

:D

[pasofantasy]

I created this, so people could express their opinions without worrying about a response to a statement in a post. If I counted correctly, only 34 posted in the other thread. Some really were about the horse being hurt instead of this topic. At least one person, only posted an animation. It went off in a few tangents. At this time, 54 people have voiced an opinion with less than 40% not wanting dogs on the showgrounds. I don't plan on posting more in this thread, but I hope, that it isn't locked, so people have their right to express their opinions.

[Dianne]

IF only people knew how to control their dogs properly!! Its not fair that a few destroy it for the majority.
Mine are ALWAYS on leash..a short leash at that..not these "flex leash doovers"!! sheesh I said to 3 different people at that show that let there dogs aproach mine via flex leashes..to "BACK YOUR DOG OFF" unless you want it to be a "snack" for mine..this included puppies, chi's and yorkie or 2...I mean really??what are they thinking? that their dog is TOO cute to get eaten? :lol: sorry but a JRT will not put up with that crap
Mine were kept up at the highest seating arrangement away from the horses..and if others were coming towards me with dogs of any size..including those in the fancy strollers I would keep mine to the side so they could pass and this included little kids...the only bother they were was to the lady in front of me (who put her french fries on the seat next to herand they stared a hole in her back for them) and to the guy next to me who "had" to feed them half his tuna sandwich :lol: and he was the was the one that knew someone that would give them a home..so I am thankful to him muchlie! Plus he was teaching them good food taking manners LOLOL But yes...I always pick up after my dogs and have plastic grocery bags at the ready ;-) most of us "Dog show people" do that..and certainly us Frisbee dog show people do ..I hate stepping in dog poop myself :roll:
Rosie has been to many shows...and she is the only one I have ever let off leash..but she has an invisble leash and thats her frisbee...last nationals we were at she wouldnt leave my side and entertained all the kids with her stick catching flips and then at the pottys when she ran from stall to stall with her frisbee so all the ladies could throw it over the stall doors for her......she has OCD..but thats ok :lol:

[finolover]

i know some show people that should be leashed (between events).......
all animals should be under control at all times...bring your dog on a leash :!: