Are horses afraid of mice? The simple answer is – No. But horses can be spooked by mice under some circumstances. Usually, this has less to do with the mice themselves and more to do with the way the mice behave and the fear impulses that this behavior triggers in a horse.
Keep reading to find out what scares horses, and when they might get spooked by mice.
What Are Horses Scared Of?
Horses are scared of plenty of things, chief among them are their natural predators. These include coyotes, bears, wolves, mountain lions, etc. And because horses are skittish by nature, anything that’s new to them or that makes sudden movements can easily scare them.
Fear in horses can also be triggered by loud noises like a car back-firing or a gunshot as well as by unfamiliar surroundings like the inside of a trailer or a new stable. Loneliness can also be a cause of fear which is why many horse owners will keep a companion animal, like a goat, for their horse. Apart from being excellent companions, goats can help calm a horse down when it is agitated or scared.
Despite being domesticated for thousands of years, horses still exhibit classic prey animal behaviors. When scared their first reaction is to flee. When they cannot, they will exhibit other classic fear symptoms like swishing their tail, pinning their ears back, showing the whites of their eyes, or flaring their nostrils.
Are Horses Afraid of Mice?
Horses are not instinctively afraid of mice since mice are not their natural predators. So just the sight of a mouse wouldn’t automatically scare a horse. However, because mice are small and make sudden movements, they can trigger a horse’s prey response. If a mouse darting around a horse’s feet spooks the horse, it might trigger a flight response in the horse.
Also, horses, especially young foals, have a natural curiosity which can get them into trouble. This is one of the reasons why foals with excessive curiosity could, if bitten by a snake, remain scared of snakes years after the event.
When Might Mice Spook a Horse?
Even though mice are not natural predators of horses, they can still spook them under the right circumstances. If a horse has never seen a mouse before, it may be startled by its quick movements.
If a mouse starts nibbling at a horse’s foot or leg, the horse may feel tickled or itchy and try to move away. A young horse may even get spooked by this.
Another situation that could worry a horse is if its stable is infested with mice. If a horse hears the sound of mice running around, it could become agitated and start to whinny or pace in its stall.
A lot also depends on the horse’s personality. A horse that usually remains calm and unperturbed is not likely to be spooked by a mouse. On the other hand, a horse that’s already on edge because of something else may get startled by the sight or sound of a mouse.
Since mice are not natural predators of horses they usually don’t pose a direct threat to them. However, under certain circumstances, if they spook a horse, this could cause the horse to panic and injure itself. If you have mice in your stable, take measures to get rid of them.
How to Keep Mice Away from Horses?
The best way to keep mice away from horses is to make sure their stable is clean and free of food debris. Mice are attracted to stables because they offer shelter and an easy food source. If you remove their food source, they will have no reason to stay.
You can also use mouse traps to get rid of the mice. Just be sure to use these products safely and far away from your horses. You could also use physical barriers and close all entry points for the mice. The best approach is to take away any incentive for the mice to come into your horse’s stable in the first place.
Final Thoughts
So the answer to the question – are horses afraid of mice – is that they do not instinctively fear mice as they do their natural predators. However, their skittish nature means that horses will not like a mouse’s sudden, rapid movements.
A mouse’s presence in the stable is more likely to trigger a reaction from the horse which could cause an accident. A lot depends on the horse’s personality.
But the best approach is to do all you can to prevent mice from getting into the stable in the first place. This will protect your horse from any potential danger.
