What's the best way to accustom a one-year old (GSP) to horses?

I would first try to find someone who has a rock solid field trial horse who's had GSPs running under his feet for a lifetime. Then walk the dog up on a leash to the horse and gauge her reaction. If the dog is afraid, back off until she's comfortable. Then move her a little closer and give a small treat, repeat until she is literally under the horse to get her treat (it HAS to be a horse that is careful and unconcerned about a dog being there). Then have one person hold the dog on one side of the horse and you reach underneath with the treat to give it to her. If all goes well, start walking the dog next to and in front of the horse while the horse is being led. They are scarier when they are moving. If the dog moves out without being too concerned about the horse, give her treats.

I judged a HT a while ago and one of the junior dogs was totally in a panic that I was behind her on a big scary horse. She failed because she stayed underneath her handler's feet throughout the course. Afterwards, we went through the above exercise with my horse and she relaxed a lot. She passed the next day.

Now if you're going to field trial the dog, there's a lot more to be done since you want that dog to be willing to ride on the saddle and possibly be roaded off the front or side of the horse. Is that part of your plan?

Jean

Do you have a local breed club? Might be a place to start. I'm sure there are other horses out there who are accustomed to dogs, it's just that field trial horses are used to derby dogs blasting right under them at top speed, etc...

Tessa -  We have fun hunt days around here.  That is how I got started with Ringo.  They are basically training days where they introduce dogs to everything from birds, to guns and horses.  They also do mock hunt tests and the judges are on horseback.  It is a good way to get your dog used to the horses as they will be in a hunt test.  See if any of the clubs in your area offer something similar.  They are usually a couple of months before they start the normal hunt test schedule.

Bev - just an FYI. Gallery at a HT is NOT supposed to be on horseback. I checked the rulebook myself on that.

Thanks Jean.  I will keep that in mind, but I did see it this spring.  It didn't bother me or Ringo, but I could see where it would bother some Junior dogs. Still you can have three people on horses at the HT, 2 judges and the one marshal. For some dogs that may be allot of horses even with all three behind the dog.

Tessa -  The judges for HT are typically on horseback, but if they  agree they can walk the course too.  However, I prefer the judges on horses as they can see the dogs a whole lot better from horseback than from the ground. 

My gang got introduced to sheep unexpectedly this year.  I was at a hunt test and went back to the same location the following weekend for a field trial and both weekends my fifth wheel was parked next to a field that was full of sheep and lambs.  The dogs were all interested at first, but lost interest afther about a day.  I guess listening to the sound of sheep baaing for two full weekends was enough to make them loose interest.  Of course, I was ready to kill all the sheep by the end of the weekend.  The lambs were cute though.

Francine, please don't make blanket statements. I can assure you that none of the horses I've ever seen at hunt tests were sedated. I do know one wrangler that sedates his rental horses but he does big field trials only. I disagree with his approach, but that's another topic. None of my horses, and none of those that belong to any of our friends have ever been sedated for an event. My horses love their jobs just as much as the dogs do.

Jean

Sedating a horse (usually it's acepromazine that's used) is a really dangerous idea. It does not keep them from "blowing up", but it blunts them so that you aren't aware that an explosion is brewing. So when they do blow, you aren't prepared.

Jean

Thankfully I live in Texas and most of the folks that are involved with shorthairs have also been raised riding horses.  Certainly all the judges I have run Ringo under knew how to ride.  So far, I have never seen a horse sedated. Personally I would rather not be around a horse that someone feels needs to be sedated.  As Jean said, you never know when they will blow up.