Hey just wondering if anyone has any tips on introducing my dog to horses. I would love to be able to take him Trail riding with me, eventually. So i was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to do so safely.

The horse is about as dog friendly as they get but the dog (Rowdey) is pretty nervous around her. Rowdey is a Border Collie, very reliable off lead, and has an excelent "off switch" if i tell him no, or leave it, or call him back from, say chasing a deer, he stops instantly.

so far he's been allowed to keep his distance, but if any one has any advice it would be nice :mrgreen:

[mightymite]

Introducing your dog to a horse is much like introducing your dog to anything else that is new. Just remember that your BC was bred to "herd" but that a dog cannot safely "herd" a horse -especially a shod horse! Pick a paddock where your horse and dog are safe, keep your dog on a loose lead. Bring some tasty treats for the dog and reward calm behavior. You can slowly move towards the horse as long as your dog is calm. You can keep handing out bits of hotdog while your dog stays calm and quite. If at any point your dog gets reactive, back up away from the horse to the point where your dog was still calm and begin to reward again.

I take my dogs trail riding with me all the time. The biggest worry you will have if you ride with your dogs off leash is that they will come out of nowhere and spook your horse. The other worry is running into other dogs or people out on the trail. Usually it works out fine but once in a while you run into someone who spazs out that you bring your dog out without a leash. If you are riding with permission on private property (not a public park or any public place) you are allowed to and they will have to get over it. Most dogs love runnin out there on the trail and won't worry about the horse at all!!

Originally Posted by ClippingCanuck

Hey just wondering if anyone has any tips on introducing my dog to horses. I would love to be able to take him Trail riding with me, eventually. So i was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to do so safely.

The horse is about as dog friendly as they get but the dog (Rowdey) is pretty nervous around her. Rowdey is a Border Collie, very reliable off lead, and has an excelent "off switch" if i tell him no, or leave it, or call him back from, say chasing a deer, he stops instantly.

so far he's been allowed to keep his distance, but if any one has any advice it would be nice :mrgreen: