I think I did understand your question the first time. I do not believe that heelers, could herd back a loose horse on command. But I'm not a dog trainer:). I've just had a little experience with heelers and horses. I've watched the dogs working cows and working the horses. Horses just don't herd the same as cows. And thinking about it you never see contests of people using dogs to herd horses. They are used to herd cows and sheep, but I can't recall them ever being used to herd horses.
But, please, don't take my word for it. And they are wonderful dogs. I could just never get on to stop no matter what I did to them or shouted. The only thing I didn't try but have always wanted to is a shock collar. That might at least get them to leave the horses alone
Every heeler I have had, and the ones that my friends have that have horses, whenever anyone drives up the driveway, walks out the front door, or a horses lays down to roll, or anything out of the ordinary happens the dogs immediatly run to heel a horse. Even Grizzly does it, and he is only half heeler. He's really dumb, he even jumps to bite them in the face, and has been stomped on a few times but just keeps doing it. Here he is skiing behind Dot:)
I just remember tho, someone on the Hobbit Hole thread has heelers, and I think is more knowledgeable then I am about training them. Maybe Hair knows who I am speaking of, and can give them a ping to here. I'd welcome any advise. I had hoped Grizzly wouldn't go after the horses so much.
Becky
