Shikoku and Horses

ddowdemersddowdemers
edited January 2008 in Shikoku Ken (四国犬)


I would love to know if any of you Shikoku people have had any experiences with your dogs and horses?  How did (do) your dogs react and how did the horses react? 


Tenji and I walk daily on a bridle trail and although the riders are out very early, we have occasionally crossed paths with a rider.  On several occasions I was told that my dog spooked the horses.  The weird thing is that we were not even close to the horses.   Now this is not all the horses that we see or meet, just a very few.  We are aware of Tenji's interest in them and he will course them if we would let him, but we keep a pretty tight rein on him when we see them. In two incidences the riders could not get their horses to go on the trail once the horses either saw (?) or smelled (?) Tenji. I don't know that much about horses so I am curious about what is going on.

Comments

  • grandemugrandemu
    edited November -1
    we ride our horses on the trail, and usually the only thing that has scared them is being surprised...not by jumping out or anything, but a person running, or walking up without making any sound, the horse might not notice them, and when they do, it's like they appeared out of thin air (sometimes the horses are looking away from the trail...they don't always realize that most of the strange things are on the trail). We try to greet people on the trail to get them to respond, then the horse knows they are there and isn't surprised. Also, horses need to be socialized just like dogs to new situations and strange things, so it could be the horse, and not anything you or Tenji have done. The best thing to do if you've greeted the riders, and the horses are still anxious, is to have Tenji sit on the side of the trail until the horses pass. If the riders are that concerned, they should be getting off the horses and leading them by you. If your dog is not jumping or barking at the horse, then it is the responsibility of the rider to accustom their horse to dogs on the trail. Sometimes I feel silly calling out to people, and I have gotten some strange looks, but horses are not that smart, and giving them advance notice you are there should help. *This is what we do with our horses, and have found that it works...it might not work for everyone*
  • EdgewoodEdgewood
    edited November -1


    I think that Jen is giving quite good advice. I don't think that a Shikoku would make a horse react any differently than any other dog. I know that my 7 horses ignore my Shikoku pup, just as they did other dogs before. And as long as you are keeping your dog under control (sitting or standing nicely versus lunging at the horses), I don't think you should worry. The riders are going to have to get their horses used to the sights and smells on the bridle path -- which included dogs.


     


    I have trail ridden horses for years and would never have accussed someone of having dogs "spook" the horses unless the dog physically was stalking and really pestering the horses (ie, chasing or threatening the horse). My gosh, horses get used to a pack of foxhounds swirling all around their legs, I am sure that if the riders try, they will get used to a lone Shikoku.

  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    Katja Weber has horses, maybe she could give you some information.
  • ddowdemersddowdemers
    edited November -1


    Thank you, all.

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