{"id":1523,"date":"2022-07-01T07:33:31","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T07:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horseproperties.net\/blog\/?p=1523"},"modified":"2022-06-28T22:38:00","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T22:38:00","slug":"keep-dogs-horses-safe-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horseproperties.net\/blog\/keep-dogs-horses-safe-around\/","title":{"rendered":"How to keep dogs and horses safe around each other"},"content":{"rendered":"

Horses and dogs are often expected to co-exist simply because many horse owners are dog lovers, too. In fact, there are many benefits to having dogs around on horse farms<\/a>. However, if a dog has never seen a horse before, it might react to this large, powerful animal by barking or even chasing the horse.<\/p>\n

Here are some top tips on how to keep dogs and horses safe around each other!<\/p>\n

From Your Dog\u2019s Perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When your dog first sees a horse, he\u2019ll most likely react by chasing the horse or barking at it. That could be because the dog is afraid or nervous about the horse and reacts by trying to frighten the strange creature away by displaying aggressive behaviors.<\/p>\n

Dogs are naturally predatory animals that hunt other species for food. On the other hand, horses are prey animals that instinctively take flight when they feel threatened. If your pet is not restrained the first time he encounters a horse, the chances are that Fido will set off in hot pursuit of Dobbin! So, take the time to set up a puppy crate<\/a> where your furry friend can watch your horse without either party endangering the other.<\/p>\n

Some dog breeds are more prone to chasing horses than others. For example, Border Collies<\/a> and other herding breeds will attempt to round up the horse, which will not end well! Remember that although the horse\u2019s first response when threatened is flight, when it\u2019s cornered, the horse will \u201cfight\u201d to defend itself from the threat. That \u201cfight\u201d response can take the form of a kick, which could easily seriously injure or kill your dog. So, when choosing a puppy or a rescue dog, try to avoid breeds that have very strong prey or herding instincts. Of course, many fun-loving breeds, including Doodles and Boxers, are naturally playful and can easily become overexcited when confronted with a horse. Often, these breeds try to persuade the horse to play with them, usually by chasing it and barking. Unfortunately, it\u2019s unlikely that your horse will feel the same way!<\/p>\n

How To Prevent A Chase Situation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here are some ways to prevent your dog from chasing your horse:<\/p>\n