HORSES and hounds go hand in hand, we hardly need to tell readers of this magazine. There are very few yards without a resident dog. Think William Fox-Pitt and his lurchers, Carl Hester and his boxers, Scott Brash and his sidekick terrier. Evidently, if you want to go places in the equestrian world, you need a canine companion.
And most yard dogs are exactly that. Curled up on the saddlecloths in the tack room, a standing dish in the lorry, a cheerful and ever-present foil to the larger quadrupeds in our care – most riders’ dogs are simply our buddies. But every now and then, man's best friend becomes even more than that, providing a useful service to the yard. Whether as a guard dog, a ratter, a retriever or hacking mate – or even with their nose for discerning character in potential owners or staff – some precious pooches make valuable contributions to an equestrian
