Dog attacks on horses are a problem that affect riders in all areas. The danger is not only to the horse, which could be injured by the dog biting it, and rider, who could suffer injuries if they fall from the horse, but also a dog acting aggressively towards a horse will be at risk of being injured or even killed if the horse kicks out to protect itself.
Even if the dog does not make contact with the horse, a barking dog may cause a horse to spook and run away from what the horse perceives as a dangerous situation. This could result in the rider falling off the horse, leaving the horse to gallop loose and potential cause harm to itself or other people while in a fearful and uncontrolled state.
For this reason it is recommended that dogs are kept under close control while around horses, and on a lead if the dog’s recall is at all questionable. If you are walking your dog in an area where horses are also likely to be, please remain alert so you can take action to prevent an incident from occuring.
There have also been cases of dogs worrying grazing horses and if you are walking your dog on a public footpath that passes through loose horses, we would recommend the dog is kept on a lead.
Commentator Mike Tucker has repeated calls for “more consistent action” on dangerous dogs, after the owner of two Staffordshire bull terriers that attacked him was fined nearly £500
Momentum is gathering within the horseworld to address the growing problem of dogs attacking horses
Barley the 30-year-old Shetland pony believed attacked by a large dog has been put to sleep
Barley, a 30-year-old Shetland pony, suffered bites to his ears and head and a swollen eye in the attack
A miniature Shetland pony has been left injured and traumatised after being attacked by two bull-terrier type dogs
“The horseworld needs to unite and lobby for equal protection for domestic animals,” urged an RSPCA officer last week after the government announced plans to tackle irresponsible dog ownership
A rider in West Sussex claims police are not taking dog attacks on horses seriously enough
Two police horses in Essex have been injured after being attacked by a Stafforshire bull terrier
An 8-year-old pony, Onyx, was attacked last week on his owner’s property in South Georgia by three pitbulls
Two mares with foals at foot have died after being attacked by a pack of dogs in America
An Ulster riding club says they are worried about safety after a group of boys set a dog on a horse at a show jumping event
A brave donkeyhas come to the rescue of a sheep that was being attacked by a staffordshire bull terrier in Scarborough
A nine-month-old foal had its ear ripped off by a dog in its stable in Northern Ireland
A pony has died after being savagely attacked by two rottweiler dogs in a field in Clough End Road, Haslingden
A 12-year-old boy has been left facially scarred after falling from his pony during a dog attack
Has your horse been attacked by a dog? Any victims should contact the British Horse Society to help stop the issue getting any worse
The horses, Rosie and Percy, were attacked by dogs while grazing in their field in Macclesfield
