Dog-proofing (was newbie first wreck club)

[Kirsten Foruria <kirsten@vermilion.reno.nv.us>]

One of the things I do with my horses, particularly the babies, is
deliberately dog-proof them. I know some people are horrified to see me
do it, but I have a mutt who is a confused stock dog and she will chase
the horses if I let her.  I let her (when I am around to supervise).
The result is that from the time they are babies, my horses experience
dogs barking and running at them.  As soon as they get over the fear,
they horses become expert "dog stompers".  I had a rottie cross get into
my acre dry-lot last spring thinking he'd have a good ol' time.  I
wasn't there to see it, but my neighbors told me my horses ran that dog
for two hours until he found a way out finally.  He hasn't been back.

I am sure that the wrong dog in the wrong spot could create big problems
even for my "stompers", but overall I think I've minimized the risk as
much as I can. IMO, it's a smarter thing to do than just keep dogs away
because you can't always, particularly if you're out and about a lot.  I
had a shepherd cross chase me and Fred for a long way a couple of weeks
ago..... he wasn't really bad but did try nipping at Fred's tail a
couple of times.  I admit to being more worried
about the dog getting pasted than Fred coming unglued.

Kirsten (still typing one-handed)

--
Kirsten (Price) Foruria
Vermilion Desert Ranch
Reno, Nevada



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