I was using a right of way through a field with two ponies in this afternoon.  There are lots of horses around us, mostly very quiet and the dogs are well used to them.

My dogs were on lead because of the horses.  The ponies came up to sniff them, the dogs did not react though they may have been apprehensive.  As I walked on, the ponies who were by this time staring intently and trying to nudge the dogs wheeled away and one of them lashed out at me (I was between the ponies and the dogs by this time.)  They returned twice more as I walked quietly and steadily through the field, the same pony lashing out at me each time it skittered away.

I suspect that the ponies may be underexercised - think the groom has a lot on her hands - and were probably a bit spooked by the windy weather but does anyone who knows about horses think it's a bit unwise to have a pony which may kick (albeit without making contact - otherwise I wouldn't be here writing this!) in a field with a right of way through it?  (They have plenty of other fields, so it's not a question of necessity, even for rotating the grazing.)

Would just like to add that I am normally on the side of horse-owners when people complain that our local horses have been curious or playful but felt that this behaviour was in a different category.  Any thoughts?

I'd have a little word with the owner Lillith just to point out the behaviour, I'm sure if the pony did hurt someone the owner would infact be liable if it is a right of way, so you would be doing the owner a favour.

I pass through fields with pony's and cows too and there was an incident once where a loose dog had gone for a foal had actually bitten it, and the mother was very stressed afterwards when anyone passed through, it may be possible that this pony has recently been upset or spooked by someone or something and it is causing this reaction.

All animals and people need to be equally protected, I don't think in your position I would contact any authorities especially if it is the first time this pony has done it, but would seek out the owner to help. :-)

I agree, would certainly seek our the owner and explain what has happened. All equine establishments and horse/pony owners are required to carry public liability insurance by law (to everyone else it's not compulsory), therefore if it had kicked you and you were to claim for damages it could land the owner with a very hefty claim on his hands! You might point this out to them and suggest it in everyones best interests that he moves that pony to more secure grazing.

Marc

horse and pony owners required to carry PLI by law since when???
well fwiw i dont think theres much you can do......we have horses here who hunt regularly with hounds and are used to having dogs all around their feet....certainly my hounds walk under them and round them all the time....however....if someone tried to walk a dog through them....an unknown one....in the field, i would say there was a good chance mine would whip round and kick their heels as well. its got nothing to do with being underexcercised or anything else...its normal excited behaviour!

I know you have a right to walk through a field without being injured by the inhabitants of said field (given there is a right of way through it), and that the owner could be liable IF they are aware of said inhabitants dislike of people, ie they know the pony kicks people.....

But.

I am not so sure you have the right to take dogs across that right of way.. im fairly sure rights of way apply to people.... if the pony is only kicking out at the dogs and not you then the answer is not to walk across with dogs...

I could be wrong but im fairly sure a public footpath doesnt give you automatic right to walk a dog on it.

Bucks CC site says that:

On Rights of Way you can:

    * Take a dog under close control, preferably on a lead but be aware that there may be no way for dogs at stiles

Sorry, not on a mission to prove you wrong, just thought it was an interesting point and didn't know the answer. I am making the assumption that what they're stating here applies throughout the UK, rather than just Bucks!

M.

epartment for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Zone 1/02
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 372 6274
Fax: 0117 372 8587
Email: rights.ofway@defra.gsi.gov.uk

These people deal with rights of way isues.

Take a dog under close control, preferably on a lead but be aware that there may be no way for dogs at stiles

The KC responsibility and care sheet for the Good Citizen awards http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/2854/gcdsresandcare.pdfsays that dogs off lead in a field with livestock can be considered as to be worrying livestock.

Issue resolved.  I spoke to the groom this morning, who said she would have the pony moved immediately.  She said it is a "little devil" and that they would dearly like to move it to a new home!

:-)

I have got horses & all I will say is keep your eye on all of them! I am very wary, because I know through experience what they can be like. It could be something as small as a fly landing on them as you walk past, which will make them kick out, be wary. If I were you I would carry a walking stick & give them a wide birth. Generally if they are used to the public they won't be a nuisance. However it's the public sometimes who cause the problem. Titbits are the main culprit. Horses will soon associate people with treats. They will kick out at one another to make sure it's only that one who get's the titbit. Horses will also try & bully people into giving them titbits. When one of our mares was on a public footpath she trod on someones toe. The chap explained that he walked right up to her with the palm of his hand outstretched to show her he had nothing in his hand. Now guess what the horse thought? What's he bought me to eat, I will just get a bit closer to have a look! I rest my case. Seriously be vigilant, mine are no longer on a public footpath thank goodness.

Glad that the problem is solved for you, you won't have to rush through the field for fear of being kicked or head butted.

She said it is a "little devil" and that they would dearly like to move it to a new home!


I would dearly love a horse/pony but alas, I'm useless at riding though partly because I am terrified of being up so high and because horses go the complete opposite way to the way I want :-D I love looking at them, feeding and stroking them, but that is as far as I get, put me on one and I freeze up and want to get off again. :-P

I would be with Beardy though and not want any pony or horse of mine on a public right of way.

People can be a pain even if there is no footpath through the field if the field borders a lane. They take the kids for a walk to see the ponies, then encourage them up to the fence with food so they can 'fuss them' not realising that the ponies will bite and kick at each other to get the offered food. Or bite the hand that feeds them in the rush to get it first. Try to explain that what they are doing is wrong, and could they please leave them alone, just look from a distance, will get some haughty replies. :rolleyes: Some will even give grass cuttings, which can kill. Leaving gates open, or not shutting them correctly so they swing open later, is also a problem when there is a footpath in a field. One field I kept my ponies in had to have the gate chained and locked, because walkers wouldn't use the stile but would go through the gate. One family thought it very funny that their dog would 'chase off' the ponies, until one day a new mare of mine chased it back, and kicked it. They came round our house, complaining, (dog was winded, not hurt) but they got sent off with a flea in their ear. They had been warned on numerous occasions, but would they listen trouble is, this sort of inconsideration towards animals in fields makes it bad for everyone and causes ill feeling.

They came round our house, complaining,

Now isn't that just typical!

Shame that dogs don't have reg numbers like cars and can be reported when owners allow such behaviour, it must be very difficult when the public can have access to horses and cattle. I think I would have signs up every 10ft, no feeding, no touching, no loose dogs! And camera's fake or real all over the place to try and deter.

The biggest problem all of us have when dogs are allowed to misbehave is we can well see what is happening, but the perps just walk off, and there is no way of tracing them, unless seen again and then it is usually your word against theirs. :-(

We had a similar incident at our last yard. There was a right of way going through the field and one of our bolder ponies went up to see who was walking through his field. (he's a cheeky chappie and always wants to know whats happening). Anyway this old lady and gent got quite scared from him coming up and so they reported it to the farmer who said we had to move him. Out of good will really I think.