Why Can't We Be Friends??

Tammy Grace Lynn · 09-18-2003, 09:41 PM

Any ideas on how to stop my mare from trying to kill my dog? I have a heeler named Zip and she goes everywhere I go. Sassy does not like dogs and tries to kick them into next week. I really want to take Zip riding with me but I don't want her to get hurt...she is still pretty young.
Any suggestions?

spyro1 · 09-19-2003, 06:47 AM

hmmm that's a tough one

I would have to say that for the safety of your dog (and you) that Zip would be better left at home.

How long have you owned this mare? Our pony doesn't like dogs and tries to kill them as well. I understand her mentality because I know that when she was with her previous owner, she was attacked by 3 pit bulls. She was hurt preety bad. They tore her hind leg up and she has a scar on her shoulder from that as well. Has your mare had any past history with dogs that you know of? some horse just wil not tolerate dogs, no matter how hard you try to introduce them as friends. I know I wasn't much help, sorry, just my opinion

Jessi · 09-19-2003, 07:43 AM

My horse is VERY protective of his space. My dog knows that seeing as he chases her out or when she's following me I send her home. I'd say just to keep them apart and save everyone from getting hurt.

Tammy Grace Lynn · 09-19-2003, 09:18 AM

Yeah, you are all probably right. Zip could come with me if I rode the neighobors horse (the good neighbor not the yucky neighbor). Sassy just kicks at every dog that gets behind her. She will chase them and bite them if you let her. I've had her for just a little over two years but Zip is only 6 months old. My other dog is too old to go out with us. I think it goes back to when she was pregnant and they had a goat at the barn where she was breed that liked to hang out with her and one morning they found the goat dead, a coyote dead. Sassy was probably trying to protect her little friend I guess.

<small>[ September 19, 2003, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Tammy Grace Lynn ]</small>

Dawn · 09-19-2003, 10:33 AM

Some horses just don't like/are afraid of dogs. Just like people. You can work with her on this. Preferably in hand. In the end, just make sure to respect your mare, your safety, your dog's safety, and your mare's safety. Also, you might want to work with her with an older dog. It could just be that the puppy behaviour annoys her.

Chris · 09-19-2003, 02:08 PM

I can relate! I have two German Shepherds that I adore! They go everywhere with me. My female has the sense to stay out of the pasture, however my male used to charge right in! Both of my horses would decend upon him like flies on you know what! From past experience I'd have to caution you to keep your dog out! I had a beautiful Irish Setter and she always went riding with me. One day when I was pre-occupied going through a gate, the dog got too close to my horse's heels... and you guessed it! Whap

She got hammered right in the nose and was knocked out cold! She's lucky she wasn't killed. The horse broke her nose and it was so swollen that the dog couldn't breath properly. It tore my heart out. I have since vowed to never let my dogs near the horses. The nice thing about German Shepherds is their intelligence. I have since taught mine to lay down and stay until I say otherwise.

Mary_k · 09-19-2003, 04:14 PM

My mare tried to trample my dog when we first got her. I put the dog on a leash, and stood outside the fence with the dog. Called the horse over and gave her a piece of apple. Then petted her, then the dog, then both at the same time. After doing this a couple of sessions, my mare got more comfortable with the dog. They are fine together now.
I think your horse sees the dog as a predator, so it is defensive behavior. If your horse gets used to seeing the dog in a non-agressive manner, they should get used to each other eventually. Just might take a little time and patience. Good luck!

Tammy Grace Lynn · 09-19-2003, 04:48 PM

You are probably right Mary. If I hold Zip in my arms and let her sniff at Sassy, Sassy will sniff her back and isn't aggressive toward her at all. It's only when Zip is on the ground. Heelers are very smart also. However they are bred to "heel" nip at other animals legs to get them moving. Zip herds the neighbors kids all the time! Maybe with time Sassy will atleast accept Zip as part of our herd.

09-18-2003, 09:41 PM	#1
Tammy Grace Lynn Full Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Queen Creek, Arizona Posts: 126	Why Can't We Be Friends?? Any ideas on how to stop my mare from trying to kill my dog? I have a heeler named Zip and she goes everywhere I go. Sassy does not like dogs and tries to kick them into next week. I really want to take Zip riding with me but I don't want her to get hurt...she is still pretty young. Any suggestions?

09-19-2003, 06:47 AM	#2
spyro1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Swamp..Home of The SEC Champs~Go Gators Posts: 6,881 Images: 62 Blog Entries: 21	hmmm that's a tough one I would have to say that for the safety of your dog (and you) that Zip would be better left at home. How long have you owned this mare? Our pony doesn't like dogs and tries to kill them as well. I understand her mentality because I know that when she was with her previous owner, she was attacked by 3 pit bulls. She was hurt preety bad. They tore her hind leg up and she has a scar on her shoulder from that as well. Has your mare had any past history with dogs that you know of? some horse just wil not tolerate dogs, no matter how hard you try to introduce them as friends. I know I wasn't much help, sorry, just my opinion __________________ I used to have a handle on life, but it broke off. Do unto others......

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09-19-2003, 07:43 AM	#3
Jessi Full Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 164	My horse is VERY protective of his space. My dog knows that seeing as he chases her out or when she's following me I send her home. I'd say just to keep them apart and save everyone from getting hurt.

09-19-2003, 09:18 AM	#4
Tammy Grace Lynn Full Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Queen Creek, Arizona Posts: 126	Yeah, you are all probably right. Zip could come with me if I rode the neighobors horse (the good neighbor not the yucky neighbor). Sassy just kicks at every dog that gets behind her. She will chase them and bite them if you let her. I've had her for just a little over two years but Zip is only 6 months old. My other dog is too old to go out with us. I think it goes back to when she was pregnant and they had a goat at the barn where she was breed that liked to hang out with her and one morning they found the goat dead, a coyote dead. Sassy was probably trying to protect her little friend I guess. <small>[ September 19, 2003, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Tammy Grace Lynn ]</small>

09-19-2003, 10:33 AM	#5
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,271 Images: 1386	Some horses just don't like/are afraid of dogs. Just like people. You can work with her on this. Preferably in hand. In the end, just make sure to respect your mare, your safety, your dog's safety, and your mare's safety. Also, you might want to work with her with an older dog. It could just be that the puppy behaviour annoys her.

09-19-2003, 02:08 PM	#6
Chris Full Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Posts: 36	I can relate! I have two German Shepherds that I adore! They go everywhere with me. My female has the sense to stay out of the pasture, however my male used to charge right in! Both of my horses would decend upon him like flies on you know what! From past experience I'd have to caution you to keep your dog out! I had a beautiful Irish Setter and she always went riding with me. One day when I was pre-occupied going through a gate, the dog got too close to my horse's heels... and you guessed it! Whap She got hammered right in the nose and was knocked out cold! She's lucky she wasn't killed. The horse broke her nose and it was so swollen that the dog couldn't breath properly. It tore my heart out. I have since vowed to never let my dogs near the horses. The nice thing about German Shepherds is their intelligence. I have since taught mine to lay down and stay until I say otherwise.

09-19-2003, 04:14 PM	#7
Mary_k Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Smoky Mtns, TN Posts: 21	My mare tried to trample my dog when we first got her. I put the dog on a leash, and stood outside the fence with the dog. Called the horse over and gave her a piece of apple. Then petted her, then the dog, then both at the same time. After doing this a couple of sessions, my mare got more comfortable with the dog. They are fine together now. I think your horse sees the dog as a predator, so it is defensive behavior. If your horse gets used to seeing the dog in a non-agressive manner, they should get used to each other eventually. Just might take a little time and patience. Good luck!

09-19-2003, 04:48 PM	#8
Tammy Grace Lynn Full Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Queen Creek, Arizona Posts: 126	You are probably right Mary. If I hold Zip in my arms and let her sniff at Sassy, Sassy will sniff her back and isn't aggressive toward her at all. It's only when Zip is on the ground. Heelers are very smart also. However they are bred to "heel" nip at other animals legs to get them moving. Zip herds the neighbors kids all the time! Maybe with time Sassy will atleast accept Zip as part of our herd.