Many hacking routes are shared with dog walkers, and some canines will chase, bark at and generally intimidate horses. Dogs should be kept under control in public areas, but we all know that this doesnt always happen.Dogs are predatory animals and like to chase. Horses are prey animals, programmed to run. When they meet instinct can take over, with the dog becoming aggressive or chasing and your horse desperate to flee. Jason Webb of Your Horsemanship what to do when a dog gives chase.Make decisions, take controlMy rule for riders is to put their safety first, and that of their horse second, says Jason. When you meet a loose dog, quickly assess if its playing or becoming aggressive.If playing, the excitement could escalate if you turn away. Instead, jump off, hold your ground and get noisy to scare it off.If the dog is behaving aggressively and you trust your horse wont bolt, dont get off as they could go for you. If your safety is compromised and theres a chance your horse will take off, dismount, try to lead them away but be prepared to let go if you need to. If your horse bolts, the dog will chase and if you stay on board the ability to control them is limited. Their panic could put you both in danger.Circles for calmWith a non-aggressive but nuisance dog, controlling your horses anxiety is key, explains Jason.Connect your horse through your body, keeping both legs on. Then use small circles to encourage the anxiety levels to drop. Ride your horse onto a circle and keep them on it, changing the rein at times if theres room. If youre on a path and riding a circle isnt achievable, use a narrow figure of eight up and down the path instead, keeping your horse bent to the inside.Working on the manoeuvrability of your horse at home gives you confidence you can turn them into a fence or small space if needed without them erupting, adds Jason.Make a safety planIf you spot a loose dog in the distance and youre concerned, make a plan if you have time. Can you put a barrier between your horse and the dog? A hedge or fence maybe. Assess the area for an escape route and, as they get closer, politely ask the owner to grab the dog, explaining why.Give your horse time to see the dog, controlling any initial flight response using the circle exercise and positive riding, says Jason. When youre hacking take every opportunity to chat with owners about how horses and dogs dont always mix so they know what to do next time.Expose your horse to dogsHacking isnt the only place your horse is likely to meet a dog on or off the lead. Theyll also be around them at shows and it has been known for loose dogs to escape onto cross-country courses to chase horses during their rounds. As a result, its important to do all you can to get your horse used to dogs.Introduce your horse to dogs at the yard, in baby steps, says Jason.Having dogs around your horse on the yard on a daily basis is an effective way to grow your horses confidence. Jason adds that if you own a dog and plan to take it to your yard, make sure you have the yard owners permission.Get their permission to have your dog around otherwise your insurance could be invalidated if theres an incident, he warns.What to do if your horse is bittenGet the owners name and contact details. If they refuse, make a note of what theyre wearing and the type of dog. Snap a photo if you can and if you wear a headcam save the footage.Lead your horse back to the yard, call the vet and ask them what to do while you wait for them to arrive, such as starting to wash the wound with clean water. Dog bites can become infected quickly and should be seen by a vet immediately. This is particularly crucial if the bite is on a joint, such as the fetlock.If your horse is unable to move, call the vet to the scene. Get the dog away from your horse and talk to your horse to keep them calm. Remember to stay calm yourself.Report the incident to the BHS using the Horse-i app as well as the police.Further readingIs your horse spooked by sheep or cowardly around cows? Top tips for passing livestock with confidenceTeach your horse to be confident in water and puddles out hackingSix ways to nip napping in the budStay confident and in control while riding a lively or spooky horseThe post How to handle loose dogs on a hack and what to do if your horse gets bitten appeared first on Your Horse.