Dogs and Horses - Man’s Best Friends

can be destructive and unpleasant to be around but if given the right balance of physical and mental stimulation they can be wonderful pets and fantastic dogs to have at the barn. A small dog with a big attitude they range in size from 13 to 18 pounds.  
The Dalmatian is the original coaching dog responsible for the safety of horsedrawn vehicles and their contents as they ran for miles alongside carriages. They are commonly known as the firemens mascot and could be seen running alongside the horsedrawn fire engines in times gone by. Thanks to the popular movie 101 Dalmatians the breed is thought to be active and playful when in fact if left untrained the Dalmatian can be an aggressive dog. Its their ability to run for miles on end that makes them great to have around horses. They have a lifespan of 13 to 16 years surprisingly long for a dog of this size and weigh up to 55 pounds. They have an attraction to horses to this day and are energetic and intelligent. 
This is not an exhaustive list of dog breeds suitable for the barn and dogs of these breeds are not guaranteed to get along with horses. On the other hand dogs of mixed or unknown breeds can also make excellent barn dogs. It comes down to the individual dog and of course the work youre willing to put in.
Safety First  
Since dogs explore with their noses and what they find often ends up in their stomachs you need to be careful when bringing dogs to the barn. While it might seem harmless albeit gross for a dog to eat horse manure you need to consider what could be present in that manure including traces of supplements or drugs given to the horse.
Both moxidectin and ivermectin active ingredients in many equine dewormers can be very toxic to dogs. Signs of exposure include drooling dilated pupils incoordination and trembling which progresses to seizures and coma and can be fatal if left untreated. Ensure that syringes are disposed of safely and securely after deworming. Keep the dog out of paddocks for a few days after horses are dewormed as although rare it is possible for the dog to ingest toxic amounts in horse manure. Certain breeds of dogs that can be extremely sensitive to those drugs include Collies Border collies Australian Shepherds and Old English Sheepdogs.
Some
of the products we use topically on our horses can also be toxic to dogs and any poison left out for pest control must be inaccessible to the barn dog or cat. Dogs who like to eat hoof trimmings can be in for tummy upset or much worse. Any residue of treatments applied to the hoof can be present in those trimmings left by the farrier as well as bits of nails and eating too many trimmings can make your dog sick. Make sure to always clean up after the farrier so your dog cant access the trimmings.
In addition to ensuring that the barn is a safe place for your dog you need to take steps to ensure your dog is safe for the barn. In a perfect world all dogs and horses would get along but thats not always the case. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to ensure a safe and positive environment if bringing a dog to the barn. An unpleasant interaction between the two could be dangerous or at worst fatal. Being aware of the barns rules and the relevant bylaws in your area is essential for every responsible dog owner.