Re: RC: Re: new dogs to endurance/trail

[SandyDSA@aol.com]

You know, so many people think dogs and horses go together like, well, peanut butter and jelly - but in fact consider this - horses are prey, dogs, canines, are predators - by nature. Historically the relationship between livestock of all kinds and dogs has been one of the chaser and the chased. Some dogs are more inclined to chase than others and some horses are more fearful of dogs than others. Horses typically don't "hate dogs" - they fear them.  We have 3 adopted Collies and 6 horses. We never have allowed our dogs to roam freely with our horses. It just doesn't make sense. I know, I know - I am sure I will get flamed by all the dog lovers who feel that their canine counterparts just LOVE going on trail rides. They probably do - but that doesn't mean they LOVE horses, nor that the horses LOVE them. I love our dogs. They have had tough lives, being abandoned sometimes more than once. I care too deeply for them to put them at risk. My precious now 27 year old mare is celebrating that birthday this week. I wouldn't DREAM of putting her at risk either. Sometimes a particular dog - or horse - cannot learn to stomach certain environments, much as some horses just can't, CAN'T be hunters because they are afraid of fences - and it is dangerous to continue to press them into it. IMHO.
Sandy