Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
While on the face of it these ponies are lovely creatures and I do not wish to be a killjoy, I really need to share my concerns since they have been moved back on to High Meadow in the last few weeks.
1. Newborn pony:
While this is a remarkable event it initially meant that dog walkers had a very tough time coping with a lot of leftover horse afterbirth, which remained on the field for several days, attracted flies and bugs, and was a hugely unpleasant health risk for the dogs that kept ripping at the meat. It did appear that nobody responsible for these horses was in a great rush to clear up this horrible mess. Because dog walkers use this Meadow so often, and children regularly play ball games on the Meadow, this really concerned me as a public health issue.
2. Aggressive horses:
I have heard of several incidents in which one or more horses charged at dogs or people, and this happen to us and a female dog walker just last week. It was terrifying. We had been what we thought was a safe distance away but three horses ran towards us and our dogs before changing direction. Our dogs were not causing any problems for the horses and were nowhere near them at the time. I always keep my dogs at a safe distance from them, but no distance feels safe any more. My next door neighbour, also a regular dog walker that uses High Meadow, had his 6-month old puppy physically attacked by one of the horses and the dog had to receive vet treatment as a result. I cannot single out any particular horse but some have observed that one of the stallions is particularly hostile, perhaps because of the newborn or the pregnant mares. It is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
3. Excessive horse poo:
Dogs are fairly basic in their habits and they do like to eat horse poo. While this is not regarded as high risk to the health of the dog it can spread intestinal parasites and we (and, I suspect, many other dog owners) are having to de-worm our dogs more often than we normally would. Aside from the risk factors, this is also hugely unpleasant for dog owners who have to return home with dogs that smell of horse poo.
There is a crude printed sign at the entrance of High Meadow requesting that people respect the horses and in particular dog owners need to take care. In fact it is the horses that are causing most of the problems, not dog owners or their dogs.
There is also a dog poo bin and sign warning of a financial fine for leaving dog poo on the path leading to High Meadow, and poo bins are provided on the Meadow itself. Most of the dog owners that I know that use the Meadow do use this bin, but what is the point when the horses are leaving huge mounds of excrement all over the field? Who fines the horse owners? Why is there one rule for dogs and another rule for horses? Even the dog poo that isn't picked up is sparse but the horse poo is difficult to miss.
4. Was there any period of consultation carried out before the horses were put into the Meadow and if so who with? Surely, the most obvious people to consult would be the dog owners that use the Meadow and yet not one of the dog owners I know of has ever been consulted.
5. The horses can spread out over a very wide distance so it is impossible to keep away from them. In order for my dogs to get the exercise they need to stay healthy it is important that they have time off the lead to run around. With the horses literally anywhere across the meadow they are in danger all the time. It is not fair that they not be allowed off the lead when they used the area long before the horses came along.
It might be a suitable idea to fence the horses off in one part of the Meadow and leave the main flat area for the dog walkers. The Meadow is certainly big enough for this to work, without the horses being cramped or dog owners being left out. At the moment, High Meadow is no longer a pleasant, relaxing place to exercise dogs but a stressful, dirty, and at times dangerous place. I am considering moving to new locations such as Elms Vale recreation ground or Kearsney Abbey, but my question is why should I when I have been safely walking my dogs there for years and it is by far the closest location. I no longer feel safe there. Many children including my own, and other dog walkers go there and they are not safe either. The speed these horses can run at and the distance they can quickly cover is frightening.
Does anyone know who do I need to write to?
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
1. Keep the dogs under control so they can not get at the afterbirth.
2. Keep dogs under control and away from the horses.
3. Keep the dogs under control so they can not eat horse poo.
4. Why, do the dog walkers own the field?
5. Walk the dogs somewhere else.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
Jan I think you missed the point. My dogs are under control. It's the horses that are not.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
Why should they be it is their field not the dogs.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
Jan up until recently it was a dog walkers area for many years. Suddenly the horses appeared again, and problems are occurring. My original posting explains all this and I would like to know who I need to contact about it as it is a safety issue for people and dogs alike. My dogs are well behaved, well trained and I am a responsible dog owner. I do not see why i should suddenly have to go elsewhere in order to walk my dogs safely.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
Because a land owner does not keep livestock on their land for a while does not mean it becomes public dog walking area. I am sure I remember livestock being kept on there when my son was at the Boys Grammar School.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
White Cliffs Countryside Project look after the park Claire on 01303274806, they manage it for Dover Town Council on 01304 242635.
Normally the Koniks ponies are very placid and keep the grass down which helps rare plants grow,I saw the foal up there last week so I guess that the Horses are trying to protect the young, as I said they are normally very placid.
Hope that helps.....Good luck on Sunday!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
Thank you John, that's very helpful. I will get in touch with them next week.. Like I said at the beginning I think the horses are lovely.
However, putting them there should not be at the expense of safety and as many use the area these things need to be considered. When they were there last year it did not seem to be as bad, and as you say they were very placid. But if they don't know the problems that are occurring they can't do anything about it. It would be great if a positive solution could be found to please all parties.
Thank for your good wishes for Sunday. I'll let you know how I get on.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Been nice knowing you :)
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
Whilst I sympathise with the dog owners who have regularly used this area one needs to remember that at the end of the day the horses are wild animals not domestic pets.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Yes,Sorry but you can walk your dog anywhere there are many hills around Dover to do that ,before the ponys were put up there it was all in the press,also at Town council meetings which you could have gone along to.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Make good pots of glue.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
Dogs? or Ponies?
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Ross
You just made me laugh out loud...thank God for someone else who looks on the bright side of life...
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 665- Registered: 24 Mar 2008
- Posts: 345
Sorry to hear that Paul. That's very sad. I will give them a call next week when I am off work and have time.
My concern is that the space is shared by the horses and the public and incidents have occurred. I have focussed on dogs but children and walkers without dogs also use the area. Those who manage the area need to know and it needs to be safe for all concerned including the horses. At the moment it isn't.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i can only speak for the ones up on the heights behind me.
they seem extremely placid, i watched a foal being born last summer and none of the ponies seemed bothered by my presence.
the only possible problems have been when a foal has come up to me out of curiosity, i just ignore them as the parents might get protective.
i did hear that there were problems at high meadow a while back with kids tormenting them, which would explain their behaviour.
