A groom is using her horse's calm temperament and confidence to help local dogs overcome their fear of them.<br /><br />Darcey the horse, 22, lives under the care of her owner Victoria Privett, 32, on the border of Surrey and Hampshire.<br /><br />Victoria rescued Darcey from being put down nine years ago and has since worked hard to help her recover from past trauma.<br /><br />The pair created a bond of trust over the years and Darcey no longer gets frightened at the sight of a barking dog.<br /><br />Now, when out on rides, Victoria uses Darcey to help local dogs overcome their fear of horses and educate dog owners. <br /><br />Victoria, a horse groom from Alton, East Hampshire, said: "She is just steadfast in any situation. <br /><br />"When a dog lunges at her or barks she doesn't react and is able to put them at ease as well.<br /><br />"Most dog owners are very grateful when I offer them the chance to spend time with their dogs around Darcey.<br /><br />"I just want to try to prevent another rider, horse or dog getting hurt when a less confident horse comes into contact with a dog like that.<br /><br />"It can be really dangerous, especially if the horse panics."<br /><br />Victoria rescued Darcey after receiving a call from her previous owner who wanted to put her down because she was deemed a "dangerous horse."<br /><br />She said: "I knew I wanted to rescue her so I went to the shelter, paid the pound minimum tender and brought her home.<br /><br />"We knew she had issues, but not to the extent that we then realised once we had her.<br /><br />"I don't know exactly what she went through at her previous owners, but she was just terrified of people.<br /><br />"She was very head shy and extremely reactive to the bridle and bit.<br /><br />"She would panic whenever there was rein contact and more pull on the reins meant more panic so we were stuck in a bit of a cycle.<br /><br />With time and a lot of reassurance, Darcey began to trust Victoria and in the last four years the pair have built a full bond and trust each other implicitly.<br /><br />Now Victoria is certain that Darcey will keep her composure during encounters with dogs. <br /><br />Victoria said: "When we formed that bond, I trusted Darcey to behave calmly around even really agitated dogs.<br /><br />"That's when I thought to start offering interactions between her and barking dogs we come across on our rides to help the dogs understand there's nothing to be afraid of.<br /><br />"I've grown up around horses and have been riding in the area for practically my entire life.<br /><br />"I know there have been incidents where a horse will panic when a dog barks at them, making the horse rear and causing the rider to fall off or the dog to get hurt.<br /><br />"Anything I can do to help prevent a moment like this I will. <br /><br />"Maybe after meeting Darcey, the next time a dog sees a horse they won't bark."<br /><br />Victoria shows her work with Darcey and other horses across her socials: @EndurancewithDarcey.
