Why do people take their dogs to horse shows etc??

[Lauralee]

I'll go ahead and speak for Belinda. She never takes her dog to a show. INSTEAD.....

When Belinda travels to shows, she takes her cat! LOL (...yes there is a story there...)

 

[_minihorses4ever_]

I have never had a chance to take my boxer, but I never have minded the dogs. Infact, I love it!

The only thing that bothers me is when people leave their dogs unattended for long periods of time.

:

 

[Billy G]

Please note - I am not trying to start a fight - I am not criticising people who do this -- I am simply curious as to WHY someone would bring their dog(s) with them to a horse show or clinic or other horse related activities.

If you are going to post on this thread - PLAY NICE --

[SIZE=14pt]Question: If you have dogs - and you take them to horse related activities - WHY do you bring them?[/SIZE]

I would never bring my dogs, that would be simply one more thing to have to keep track of.

JJay

(Inquiring minds want to know!! :-D)

Will they let you take a horse to a dog show?

 

[Matt73]

A lot of people who show constantly -for instance hunter/jumpers- bring their pooches to the shows because that's life on the road! They are "part of the show scene". Most are well behaved. Although I have seen the odd one...or two

: that should not be there. I was in Wellinton Fl. a couple of years ago grooming and exercising and when we got to the grounds we were informed that a Jack Russell had been eaten by a juvenile alligator in the "man-made-pond". Needless to say, a Fl. "croc hunter" came and got the suspected culprit. Some people, I'm sure, were snickering, "Serves him right!". Poor Poochie!

 

[wildoak]

My dogs stay home. I tried taking one or the other a few times years ago, but found I was too busy and they were not particularly good "horse show dogs". That said, I love getting my doggy fix from the ones who are there.

It wouldn't be a proper horse show without the corgis and jack russells LOL ( and all the others, not playing favorites )

Jan

 

[Frankie]

I have 2 dogs, and they never go. I'm afraid I'd get busy with a horse and the dog would get hurt, or visa versa.

Normally I do not mind them, what I've have seen the large majority are well behaved. But nationals this year I did kind of mind. Was standing in line for one of the dinners they have, was waiting behind a women and her rather large dog,,,,,the dog would turn around towards me and pant,,,,,,druelling down my leg. I love dogs, but don't like their slober running down my leg. I did back up. The dog came to me again, slobered down my leg again, took my sweatshirt sleeve and rubbed it off,,,,,,,,,,,the women goes, wellllllll,,,,,and pulled the dog to her.

If you are going to be insulted by my rubbing off your dogs slober,,,,,,,dont' let it slober on me.

 

[runamuk]

I am not going to reply to the poll as I don't show very often. However I have attended so many horse shows over the years I thought I might reply.

I see dogs at every type of horse venue you could imagine, 99% of the barns I worked in also had dogs in the the horse barns. The good side is the horses get socialized to dogs and dogs to horses. The bad side is when they are left tied to a stall or chair and decide to defend the entire barn of stalls from all intruders

:

: .

Terms such as "dog and pony show" came from somewhere

: carriages and dogs go together think of dog carts and afternoon hunts, hunting to the hounds, leisurely park drives with lap dogs in tow to warm the lap and hands. Dalmations were bred to run with carriages, and there are many other breeds that developed in conjunction with horses as a working partner think of the heelers and cowboys. Dogs and horses go together very much like salt and pepper

:

 

[jleonard]

Our Cocker Spaniel, Blue, goes with us to every show and lesson. We bought him at a show as a puppy(It was the first show I won on my thoroughbred, hence his full name, Blue Ribbon Day) He was my mom's birthday present. A week after we got him he came down with Parvo and just about every other disease imaginable. Due to his illness, he got extra special treatment, and is now convinced he is a person. He is so pathetic if he does not get to go, that it breaks your heart to leave him home. However, if my mom does not go to the show/ lesson, Blue does not go, because there would be no one to watch him. He is on a short leash at all times and is kept out of the horses feet. I do not like when people let their dogs run loose at shows, it seems like an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Neil]

Will they let you take a horse to a dog show?

Actually, I did once but left the horses in the trailer. I had to pickup a mare and several week old foal and stopped at a dog show on the way home. The good news was that I didn't let them out and run all around the show grounds like many horse people do with their dogs. There was always a line of people at the trailer looking at the mare and foal. The mare is only 28.5 inches tall and the foal was very small which fasinated my dog friends.

I do take my dogs to the horse shows with me mainly because they are my old folks home, 16, 13, 11 and 3 year olds. There is no way that I will put dogs as old as 16, 13 and 11 in a kennel while I am gone. But, while I am at the shows they are in the motorhome or in pens outside the motorhome when I am at the motorhome. While I was at Worlds they spent far too much time in their crates because I worked so many hours. My dog runs were cleaned everytime the dogs came in and hosed down atleast twice a day after the dogs were out. I can't stand the smell and would hate to have anyone near me have to put up with the smell.

As a dog person it bothers me to see dogs running around the horse show grounds and not having their owners clean up after them.

 

[nootka]

Never taken a dog (never had one that would be appropriate) to a show, but I have honestly never seen nor had or heard of a problem with dogs at shows.

I really enjoy the dog scene, visiting with, admiring and interacting with the doggies at the shows. My sons love the heck out of them, too, and what show would be complete without Skippy the Liberty dog?

(only you NW people probably know what I mean).

Liz M.

 

[Miniv]

My sons love the heck out of them, too, and what show would be complete without Skippy the Liberty dog?

(only you NW people probably know what I mean).

Liz M.

I didn't get Bri to show this year........That's so great that Skippy is still out there running his stuff! :lol:

We've never brought any of our dogs.....too big.....and when we were focussed on showing, I think it would have been unfair to our dogs.

MA

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

I absolutely hate it when people bring dogs to shows. Luckily my guy grew up at a rescue, so he's used to dozens of dogs growling and running around him, but in general its not fair to the horses and their handlers. I've seen too many dogs (even on leashes) run at horses and cause them to spook. Its a horse show. Do you bring your horses to dog shows?

And I CAN'T STAND it when people bring dogs to events that clearly say "No Dogs Allowed". Our entire road is posted "NO DOGS" (in a white, state issued sign... meaning its law, not a request) and STILL we get people bringing their dogs. Most leave them in the trucks where they belong, but I've had to tell shipper after shipper that their dogs are not the exception to the rule, they are the reason for the rule. So tired of searching for their dogs after they chase after a fox, or attack the legs of some nervous recipient mare. I'm very bitter about it, I've wasted too much time helping them rectify their own disregard of the rules.

Just my opinion

Feel free to disregard.

 

[Robin1]

I have taken my dog with me in the past. I have several but have only taken one. Generally speaking I only take one if I am NOT showing. The vendors, spectators, and other exhibitors love them.

If I am showing I usually don't although I have taken my small dog along especially if my mother has brought hers. If I go to the ring and there is nobody to hold him, he goes in his crate and is locked in the tack room, along with my mothers dog in her crate. My dog will cry if I leave him, I didn't know he did that until the horse show. The people around thought he was so cute and his crying got him LOTS of attention. That was an out of state show and we took them with. The dogs love to go for rides. My dogs are all obedience trained and are NEVER taken off leash.

Robin

 

[rabbitsfizz]

MY dogs go everywhere with me, so that includes shows.

They are never off lead at a show, no dogs would be so there is never a problem. They are well received and acceptably well behaved and, most importantly, they know how to behave around horses.

The van is crated out for them in the back, they have plenty of room in there and mostly they sleep.

When it was particularly hot I tried putting them in the trailer and they hated it- they feel relaxed in their cages!!

 

[babygoose]

I don’t like to see dogs at horse shows. I think it is important to get horses used to seeing dogs and having them running around, but I would rather that be done at home or at the trainers etc. There are so many unknowns at a horse show. And it is after all, a HORSE show. And there are other people there who might not like dogs. I think it is a courtesy to other people not to have a dog running around, or barking in a crate or stall, being underfoot, leaving presents that don’t get cleaned up, peeing on stuff…….

At a show last year some folks had a dog running loose and it peed on my tent. The owners apologized but didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. I spent most of the show making sure no harness or anything was on the ground to get peed on. I like dogs. I love my own dogs. But I don’t like people assuming I am going to love their dogs and let them run up and slobber on me, climb all over me, sniff me, etc.

Aside from all that, I wouldn't want to bring my dog to a show because I have enough to worry about without fussing with the dog.

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

I take my dog to shows if I'm staying overnight. He does NOT go outside for anyone but me or Jane when left at home. He comes to the door, happy to see you, plays with you- won't go outside... idiot boy. Sometimes even Jane can't get him out. :lol:

I did bring him to Glen Rose this weekend, even though we went home at night. It wasn't fair, IMHO, for him to stay in from 6AM to midnight....

He doesn't cause any trouble. His only fault, is that as a 100lb chocolate Lab, he blocks the aisle when he lays down. He doesn't wander, doesn't bother horses or other dogs, or people. If you're ever at a show and you see us, stop by and say hi. And if he DOES bother you, PLEASE let me know.

Lucy

 

[ThreeCFarm]

I don't mind the dogs at the shows, as long as they are kept restrained and in the proper place! Tieing a dog in the barn aisle, then wandering off to do whatever, is not the proper place as some dogs don't want anyone going down that aisle, or it makes it hard to get a driving horse through, etc. I believe that if you bring a dog to the barn, it should be in the tack stall at all times you are not with it.

We have a trainer that shows in this area that always brings a small dog that runs loose all day long. At one show, the dog actually came up and grabbed my leg! Luckily it was just a Chihuahua, but still! At that time, I didn't know who it belonged to, but now I do. I have a three year old son, and that Chihuahua, or any dog, could really do some damage to him, and yes, he does know how to properly treat animals.

 

[Boinky]

I always take my service dog with me. Not only is she my helper but she's also my buddy and is usually off duty for the most part at show's (short of having manners i mean). That being said, she is on a leash probably 98% of the time or tied if i'm working around the stalls. If i have to leave her for a class or somethign she goes in a crate in the stall. If there are no horses out and about and limited people (like in the evenings) i'll let her off leash to play some. I do not allow her to wander off out of my sight or go visiting. She's not usually tied or in her crate very much unless we are very busy. I usually take her everyplace with me at the show's if i don't have a horse with me so is never left unnattended for very long.

 

[Black Pearl]

A lot of shows I have been to showing Large breed horses, do not allow dogs on the grounds. So we just got in the habbit of not taking the dog with us, shes more happy staying over at "grandmas!" causing trouble there! (shes a JR... and she thinks the cats are her toys!) :lol:

But I agree, if we are showing we already have to many things going on to watch the dog. But if we are there to visit, she will come with us to visit. But we always make sure dogs are allowed when we visit.

:

Kat

 

[maryann]

I am going to have a strange answer. I always take my dog to horse shows but I don't

think you should . My dog is a small chihuahua and mostly stays in our travel trailer at shows.

There have been a few times she has stayed in the tack room in her carrier. We bring her because

she travels well and does not bark at all. SHe would rather be with us than left with anyone at home.

Like a previous poster said , most people don't even know she

is with us. She has absolutely no contact with the horses.

All dogs don't like horses and all horses don't like dogs. I have seen some almost bad accidents.

At a recent show a tiny dog got away from its owner and ran right into the staging area under the feet of

a lot of horses. We were all holding our breath. Fortunately he was captured before something awful

happened. It could have been a dissaster for the owner of the dog and of the horse that hurt the dog.

Everyone would have felt bad.

At a Paso Fino show this past July in NC a horse was attacked by another exhibitors dog. The dog lunged at the horses neck and then hung on as the horse ran off.

As was addressed on another thread, you can't depend on other people to behave with common sense where your dog is concerned. Kids will run up to a strange dog and grab them . They mean no harm I am sure but some dogs are not used to kids. Their parents just allow them to do it to.

I have seen a lot of dogs at shows and most of them are very well behaved and their owners take very good

care to make sure they are safe and don't annoy other exhibitors and horses. I just know I do the same ,but sometimes she slips right past me. To me ,even with mine, its an accident waiting to happen. Mary