USDAA Explores the Canine-Equine Connection

Celebrating the partnership between horses, dogs and their handlers

This article was originally published in the February 2026 OVERview digital magazine.

Many agility handlers participate in other sports with their dogs, but how many work with animal athletes of other species? When we asked our community about their involvement in the equestrian world, the response was overwhelming. From recreational riders to Olympic veterans, one thing most people agreed on was that horses and dogs usually go hand in hand. Check out the stats from nearly 350 responses across our USDAA OVERview and social media subscribers:

 

Favorite Facebook comments

“Jumping in some way has been the majority of my life, really. I lost my off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) a couple of years ago, and he just wasn’t replaceable to me. The dogs then took over. It’s not quite the same adrenaline rush but, as I get older, I appreciate how much safer it is. Mostly, I appreciate how much cheaper it is!” – Heather Hunt

“I used to do show jumping. Dog agility is so much better, because when your dog refuses a jump, you don’t go flying thirty feet through the air and land on your head!” – Lori Hansen

“I rode Quarter horses, and barrel racing was our thing. Like agility, it’s such a competitive sport! The only real difference is that barrel racing is easier to remember – one right turn and two lefts – and if you were fast enough, you won money!” – Laurie Mandozzi

Laurie Mandozzi

“We moved from hunter/jumper to eventing, and the first time I ever went to a dog event, I remember thinking ‘Holy cow!’ The only thing I had to do was throw my dog in the car and make sure I had a leash. No loading and unloading the trailer, making sure there’s hay, checking for your saddle, girth, helmet, etc. Dogs are so much easier!” — Kate Danno

“Doing agility is like carriage driving, except you don’t have reins to guide your dogs around the course. Both are such fun and humbling sports, and I have made so many great friends in both worlds.” – Cathy Miller

Comparing the two sports

“I think the thrill I experience with horse competitions and agility events are similar. Dog sports are way less trouble, but a lot of the philosophy translates – balance, strength, correct leads, and efficient and correct lines.” – Melody Moore Jackson

“Caring for a horse with poor conformation informed me just how important good conformation is for long-term soundness in both species.” – Liz Fletcher Demery

“I was a 4H kid who eventually became a riding instructor. Understanding leads, the mechanics of jumping, and conformation has helped me SO much with my dogs!” – Rachel Tabor Flatley

“Dressage taught me body awareness, which is imperative for dog agility handling.” – Bev McLean Tetrick

“I learned a lot about patience and consistency in training after getting my own green-broke Quarter horse for my 13th birthday. I loved the challenge of training new skills, and this has carried over to my dogs.” – Julie Weir

“Agility will keep you in the same frame of mind between the courses and competitions while also keeping your body active. It’s a great alternative for those who can no longer ride.” – Renee Kalmanson

“It is so much easier for instructors who used to ride to explain training details to me. There are just so many things in common between the two sports! Subjects include lead changes, jumping form, take-off points, collection, extension, jump distances, supplements, injury treatments, veterinarians, alternative therapies, footing, facilities, traveling, finding the right instructor/trainer, governing organizations, qualification periods, scoring and more!” – Cindy McElligott

Recognizing a fellow horseperson at agility trials

“There are numerous times that myself and other friends who were in the horse world will say horse terminology words instead of dog terminology. For example: Jump standards instead of stations. We also find ourselves sometimes counting strides as if we are riding.” – Allyson Oliveira

 

Allyson Oliveira 

“My second or third show, Janet Barber came up to me while I was walking a course, and she said, ‘I’ve never seen you before so you must be new to agility… but you must have shown jumper horses since you obviously know how to walk a course!’ Yep, I did!” – Renee Kalmanson

“We imagine what our dogs would be like if they were horses… my Novice A dog is my trusty school horse, very dependable and forgiving. My Border Collie puppy is like a 3-year-old greenbacked jumper prospect who has a lot of cool qualities but no power teering!” – Taylor Tobak

“When I was riding as a teen, my friends and I were obsessed with an adult and her horse. We would watch her ride and cheered for her at shows. When I left for college, I never saw her again… until I started doing agility in Arizona! I was walking a course and was bantering with others about the Green Bay Packers. One lady spoke up and said she was from Wisconsin, too. We started comparing notes, and I realized that she was the rider we idolized all those years ago! Truly a small world!” – Karen Gloor

 

Karen Gloor

Meet Some of Our Equestrians Turned Handlers: Thanks to all who submitted photos in our equine-canine research and social media call for images! We received so many stories of handlers sharing their horse tales, and the crossover between four-legged sports is impressive! You'll find the photos in the February 2026 OVERview digital magazine, starting on page 13.