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Horses and Dogs: So different and yet so similar

By Tina Bjerre Nielsen // Photo: Erik Kunddahl, Kunddahl Graphic & Photography
By Tina Bjerre Nielsen // Photo: Erik Kunddahl, Kunddahl Graphic & Photography

In their own way, they win our hearts. One is a large, confident, and calm flight animal, who startles very quickly. The other is a small, wagging, and livelier creature who might suddenly bark neck and appear aggressive. Despite their differences as flight animal and predator, horses and dogs can and dogs can give as much joy to each other as they give to us humans. But we need to careful when we put them together.

READ ALSO: Study Surprises: Horses and Dogs Understand Each Other When Playing Together

Creating a good experience

A good experience between horse and dog often depends on us humans behaving sensibly at the first encounter between the two. Here are three tips to make the experience good - and safe.

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Know the signals

We as humans should know the different signals that can come from the horses and dogs and observe them closely when interacting with each other. If the horse lowers its ears and lifts its hind leg to show that it’s bothered by the dog's presence, you should consider whether the dog is too close to the horse.  On the other hand, the dog should not show signs of aggression around the horse. It’s important that the dog has respect for the large, heavy animal and keeps a safe distance. Otherwise, things can go really bad. Unfortunately, dogs do get kicked, hit, stepped on or otherwise injured in the company of horses.

The first meeting

When a horse and dog are to meet for the first time, it’s important that they both have the opportunity to check each other out at a safe distance. It’s also important that one person holds the dog on a leach and holds the horse on a rope. Feel free to let the two greet each other in an area where there is plenty of space. It can be in the paddock or a riding arena. While the horse is being walked, the dog can watch from the side-line. After which the two can be allowed to approach each other.

Be sure of your dog

Before you consider taking the dog into the stable, it’s of course important that it can follow your guidance and do what you tell it to. Also, you shouldn’t bring a very young puppy into the stable, because the puppy can behave in a way scares the horse. If you still want to bring your puppy with you, or if you simply have to, you should keep it at a very safe distance from the horses and wait to let them meet close to each other until the dog is older and more mature.

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They understand each other through play

Despite the differences between horses and dogs, there are also similarities in their communication - and because of that they can actually play together. So says a team of ethologists1. They explain that horses and dogs mirror each other and do what they describe as quick facial expressions. Here, the animals recognize each other's facial expressions in less than a second, which seems to play a significant role when the animals communicate their mood to each other through play.

In addition, the researchers point to a relaxed, open mouth as a common feature. It’s a well-known playful facial expression in mammals which shows that they are adaptable in the situation and want to play. The ethologists conclude that horses and dogs can understand each other well and therefore play together without the fun becoming too violent for either one of them.

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From horse happy to dog happy

Why is it that we horse people often like other animals as well? And maybe especially dogs? Here are three thoughts on that matter.

We have so much love to give

Who can love a horse as much as its owner? Who can give it so many muzzle kisses and worry so much about it? Horse people have so much love to give. It’s simply what we live by. And it’s exactly why we often need more animals in our everyday lives to spread our love beyond, and this is where dogs come into the picture.

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We also need an animal at home

When you as a horse person love animals so much, one thing is a bit of a challenge: You cannot have the horse in bed or lie and cuddle with it on the sofa. Or at least it’s not something you see very often. Therefore, we need to find another animal that can help spread a cosy atmosphere in the home. Then the horse, in turn, can get all the attention when we are in the stable.

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We know what it takes

Once you have tried to spend hours in the stable every single day and seen your money disappear from your bank account every single month, then you have a good idea of what it takes to be responsible for a pet. And in that light a dog can suddenly be a small “investment” compared to a horse. The main difference of course being that you can get others to feed your horse and turn it out in the field. The dog is mainly your own responsibility, it’s always there and that is something to be aware – before you buy that sweet little puppy or adopt that wonderful lost dog from the pound.

READ ALSO: Does your horse spook? The senses of horses and how they affect their welfare

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Sources
1. V. Maglieri, F. Bigozzi, M. Rccobono & E. Palagi: Levelling playing field: synchronization and rapid facial mimicry in dog-horse play (Behavioural Processes, Vol. 174, Mai 2020)

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