Go horseback riding with your dog

I'm delighted to be back with you for more Woof-tastic adventures! Do you love horses? Do you love dogs? How about going for a horseback ride with your dog? What a wonderful experience it would be to share a lovely ride with both your dog and your horse without having to choose one or the other of your furry companions and having to leave one behind!

I don't ride horses; unfortunately, I've never understood how horses work, and since we don't communicate, I've only had bad experiences! I can even tell you that today I'm absolutely terrified of horses. Much to my dismay… So, to tell you about "dog-assisted" riding, I interviewed a wonderful duo who come straight from Dijon!

This is Julie and Lolli, her Australian Shepherd. These two horse lovers are inseparable, practically glued to each other's paws (haha). They share everything: cycling , beach holidays , winter sports vacations , and especially horseback riding! Julie has been a riding instructor for four years at an equestrian center, and not a single day goes by without Lolli accompanying her to work. Today, they're going to tell us about their experiences as riders.

Julie, it's your turn :)

A dog and a horse: are they really compatible? Absolutely! Many riders own a dog. In fact, it's not uncommon to see dogs wandering around riding centers and even at competitions. Lolli, my Australian Shepherd , is the star of the riding center. The horses adore her! My dog ​​adores them too, though she keeps her distance, because she's a bit of a scaredy-cat, and I prefer it that way. Horses are still "big" animals. We're not immune to a kick! Once, she had the misfortune of suddenly running behind a horse to play, and he didn't appreciate it at all and let her know it… Since then, she's been rather wary, and that's a good thing.

The cohabitation between my dog ​​and the horses happened quite naturally. Since my dog ​​and I are close, she trusts me. By accompanying me to the equestrian center, she gradually took her habits and her marks. I still recommend that you introduce your dog to your horse from an early age, but it is not impossible to have a dog and an adult horse live together. The proof, Lolli, my dog, has only been around horses since my spouse and I adopted her. Our friend Elinore, his breeder, took him to the club where I work from time to time, but my dog ​​really met and learned to live with horses thanks to us.

Once the dog and horse are used to each other, it's possible to take your dog with you on a horseback ride . When I rode my horse to the arena, the training ground for riders, my dog ​​naturally followed me. So I thought it might be fun to try going for a ride with the three of us: my dog, my horse, and me!

The first condition for a smooth ride is that your dog is very well-trained. It's impossible to keep your dog on a leash while riding a horse. The difference in size and reactions between the two animals makes it far too dangerous. Your dog must be able to obey your voice commands and be able to master recall, stop, and all other basic commands like sit, down, left, right, etc. Under no circumstances should your dog bark excitedly at the horse, as this could frighten it.

My dog ​​knows commands like “wait” and “stop”, useful when we are approaching a road to avoid that it crosses before me; “files”, so that it moves faster if we are trotting or galloping; “on the heels or come back” when it begins to move away a little too much; the “sitting” to remain still when the situation requires it. We are teaching him the “left-right” but it is not yet fully acquired, haha.

The horse must also be well educated. Do not go on a horseback ride with your dog if the horse is a little too crazy. The commands of the horse are not similar to those of the dog. On horseback, you have to play a lot with the weight of the body, the legs and the voice to reassure and encourage him. But you must absolutely control your horse to go for a ride all three to ensure everyone's safety and not put anyone in danger. Because if one or other of your walking companions does not obey you, disaster is guaranteed.

Going on a horseback ride with your dog is accessible to everyone. It takes patience but anyone can do it. The codes are a bit long to learn but once learned it's only happiness! Trust your animals.

When I prepare my horse, my dog ​​always stays calmly lying down, she can't wait to go galloping too. Once on horseback, the ride can begin. Lolli does not wait a second and takes the lead. She manages to follow us well at the three gaits of the horses, she is even very often in front! Be careful with your dog all the same: our doggies do not know how to manage their efforts. It is up to you to be attentive to his state of form: if he is tired, injured or if it is a day when he is not motivated; adapt your pace or your outing to make it short!

I prefer gravel paths and woodland trails; they're much more pleasant. Riding only on roads would be too hard on the horses' and dogs' legs, and could be dangerous even though my dog ​​is well-trained. Fortunately, we have plenty to keep us busy with all the bridleways in the beautiful Burgundy and Franche-Comté region.

We usually go for a ride of an hour and a half. Our equipment is simple: I wear riding clothes , including my helmet and boots. My dog ​​also wears a collar with my and my partner's phone numbers, a high-vis vest , and a light-up collar in case the weather is overcast. Remember to bring a bowl and plenty of water to keep your dog and horse cool. A first-aid kit can also be useful.

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And off we go, Wouafer's, at a gallop! I hope this article has inspired you to go for a horseback ride with your dog, but as you've probably gathered: caution is advised! Going for a ride with your dog is an activity that requires preparation.

Thanks again to Julie and Lolli for sharing their Trop W'ouf experience with us. Want to learn more about their story? Check out their Woof-tastic profile.

Pssst: Want to try new activities with your dog? Check out these articles:

• The top 10 traction sports to share with your dog
• Paddling with your dog
• Start canicross with your dog

Plenty more articles await you on the EmmèneTonChien.com blog ! Stay tuned and keep your ears and noses open!

In the meantime, for more information, holiday tips and dog-friendly deals, follow EmmèneTonChien.com on our Facebook page and our Instagram account :)