ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Dogs on Trail
[endurance] Dogs on Trail
Betsy O'Shea (boshea@magic1.org)
Wed, 03 Apr 1996 23:39:27 -0600
I have always taken a dog with me on trail rides when I ride alone. the dog
needs to be fit, just like us and the horse. I worry a lot more about my dog
because I know of 2 joggers whose dogs died while jogging. A light boned
athletic dog will do best , and they absolutely must not be overweight. the
first dog I rode with was a dalmation. he always stayed behind the horse and
never investigated anything off trail. The next dog was a labrador of field
breeding so she was a larger boned heavier dog, and I worried about her
because of her build and because she had so much heart. You have to stop a
dog like that because they will go until they drop. She always stayed at my
horse's left shoulder in heel position even when we did ring work.
Occasionally she would follow the horse, but if there was room she was
always at the left shoulder. One of the most fun dogs to ride with was my
little Basenji. It didn't take her long to know the trails so when she got
tired or disinterested, she would stop and wait, for me to return, even
hours later. I am now riding with a Border Collie and he is my second
Border Collie riding companion and they both act the same way- that is they
go ahead of me on the trail - way ahead- and constantly check back, so they
go twice the distance I ride. I have had times when the dogs have tired,
and they show it by not keeping up as closely to the horse as previously,
and the Border Collies stop investigating and follow behind the horse. I
think your dog needs to be VERY well trained to ride with you so that he is
absolutely under voice command and will come, down and heel. I think Open
Obedience training is the minimum, although my Basenji was just Novice
trained. You don't want them scaring hikers, and dogs off lead are not
allowed in a lot of places. Be sure to take a dog lead to catch him up
quickly if necessary. Most dysplastic dogs will not be able to do this. My
first Border Collie was dysplastic and he started showing signs at about age
5, so I couldn't take him with me anymore. Be sure to take first-aid
equipment for the dog. I could not take a dog with me during the times the
rattle snakes were breeding, or out or what ever, when I lived in Colorado,
because the snakes bite dogs and I would not have been able to get help in
time to save the dog.
Betsy O'Shea
boshea@magic1.org
Paola,Kansas