...ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA video of a dog sneaking into a field filled with horses has gone viral on TikTok after it took an unexpected turn, earning almost 2 million views.
The video, shared on November 26 by @leazules, shows a large white dog slipping under a gate and narrowly avoiding a kick from a nearby horse. The canine then bolts across the field and is immediately chased by one horse, with about five more joining in moments later.
Text layered over the clip explains that the pet “straight up thought he could pass for a horse but ended [up] living the most traumatic event of his life."
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“Your dog was very lucky those kicks didn’t land,” pointed out one user. Others echoed the same concern in the comments.
Indeed, a horse’s kick is incredibly powerful. In one study, the strongest kicks reached around 8,700 newtons, which is a measure of force. That’s roughly equal to about 887 kilograms of force (around 1,956 pounds of force), almost like having the weight of a small car slam into something in a split second. Because kicks can be that strong whether the horse is startled or reacting on purpose, stable doors, fittings, and other fixtures need to be built to withstand serious impact to keep both horses and handlers safe.
Despite this, the dog appears to be smiling at the end of the video as he safely makes it back to his owner.
Another user said: “I don’t think he regretted it at all or learned any kind of lesson. He loved it,”
“Your dog should not be off leash unless it has a foolproof recall,” wrote a third commenter.
...Tips for Introducing Dogs to Horses
The Animal Behavior College, a private vocational school, recommends these precautions before allowing a dog to be around horses:
- Train your dog first. Make sure your dog has solid basic obedience and listens to you reliably. Teach clear boundaries: no chasing, no barking, and no rushing toward horses, especially if the horse is being ridden.
- Start on a leash. For first introductions, keep your dog leashed so you can manage his response. Only allow off-leash time once you’re confident he’ll stay calm and won’t bother the horse.
- Teach healthy respect. If your dog seems fearless, train him to give horses plenty of space, particularly around their legs. Some overly confident dogs wanckder too close and risk being stepped on. A little caution around horses is protective.
- Read the horse’s body language. Before your dog gets close, check how the horse is reacting. A relaxed horse will look calm, hold its head level, and keep loose muscles. If the horse is tense, head up, nostrils flared, body tight, or if it’s being ridden, keep your dog at a distance.
- Be mindful of group behavior. A dog that behaves well alone may act differently around other dogs. If another dog is present, watch closely to see whether your dog becomes more excitable or starts copying pushy behavior.
- Don’t allow “play” with horses. Even if both animals seem to enjoy it, stop dogs from running around or alongside galloping horses. What looks playful can turn dangerous fast. A single kick can seriously injure or kill a dog, and it can also reinforce chasing instincts.
- Supervise every time. Never assume the situation is automatically safe. Stay alert and keep your dog under close control whenever horses are nearby.
Reference
von Wachenfelt, Hans, et al. “Measurement of Kick Loads from Horses on Stable Fittings and Building Elements.” Biosystems Engineering, vol. 116, no. 4, Dec. 2013, pp. 487–96. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.10.013.
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