Are horses afraid of coyotes? Yes. And if you’re a horse owner this should be a concern for you, especially if you live in an area with coyotes. Because given a chance and a need, coyotes will attack a horse.
Here are some things you should know about coyotes and some tips to protect your horses from coyotes.
Why are coyotes dangerous?
Coyotes are wild animals and predators. That alone makes them potentially dangerous. Usually, they are afraid of humans and will stay out of our way but if you see coyotes that do not show fear then they could be dangerous. Beware.
While coyote attacks on humans are rare, they can be dangerous for children, pets, and certainly to horses – especially foals. Coyotes can be bold and are known to attack animals that are much larger than themselves – especially if they are in a pack.
Here are a few reasons why coyotes might go after your horse:
- If our horse is sick or injured, a coyote may see it as an easy target.
- If your horse is a foal and is not strong enough to protect itself
- When it comes to food, coyotes are very opportunistic. If there are not enough food sources available, they may see your horse as a potential meal.
- If there are too many coyotes in one area, they may become more aggressive because there is more competition for food
- If a female coyote is nursing pups, she may be more protective and see your horse as a threat.
Are Horses Afraid of Coyotes?
Horses are afraid of a great many things but most of all they fear their natural predators. After all, horses are prey animals. This means that in the wild they can be eaten by predators – like coyotes. This prey-animal nature is still in the DNA of horses even though they have been domesticated now for a few millennia.
So, when a horse sees or smells a coyote – a natural predator, its instinctive reaction is fear. Horses show this fear in different ways. They may flare their nostrils, their ears start pointing backward, they show the whites of their eyes or they start swishing their tails. Being afraid is one of the reasons why horses run and get away from the predator.
Of course, none of this matters if someone isn’t able to get the coyote away from the horse. If you’re in the vicinity you can throw things at the coyote, make loud noises, and generally scare it away.
A single coyote may not be a big deal for an adult, healthy horse and will likely stay away. But a pack of coyotes can be a problem. Likewise, foals and injured horses are more vulnerable to coyotes.
How Can You Protect Your Horses From Coyotes?
If you have coyotes in your neighborhood you must do everything possible to keep them away from your horses.
So, what can you do to protect your horse from coyotes? Here are some ways:
- Keep your horse in a secure area such as a barn or pasture with a fence.
- Make sure the fence is solid and unbreachable.
- Use Coyote Repellent on your property and especially near the stables
- If you must keep your horse in an open area, make sure there are no areas where a coyote could hide and surprise your horse.
- Don’t leave your horse out alone at night. Coyotes are more active at night and are more likely to attack then.
- If you see a coyote, make yourself as intimidating and loud as possible and try to scare it away. Or throw objects at the coyote until it runs away.
You could also use other animals to help protect your horses from coyotes.
Another option is to get an animal that can scare coyotes. A guard dog is an option. A trained guard dog will know how to watch over the horses to keep them safe. Another possibility is to get a donkey. Surprisingly, donkeys are very good at keeping coyotes away. They are naturally territorial and will chase coyotes away if they come too close. Both these animals can also be good companions for a horse.
Final Thoughts
Coyotes can be dangerous for your horse. They are predators and even though they usually go after smaller animals like mice or rabbits, they are bold enough to attack larger animals like horses – especially if the horse is young or injured.
So if you are wondering – are horses afraid of coyotes – the answer is Yes. They are instinctively scared of them. Even if a coyote’s attack may not be enough to kill a horse it could cause serious injuries.
You must take steps to protect your horse from coyotes. The best way is to keep them in a secure area like a barn or pasture with a solid fence. You could also use coyote repellents and be especially careful if you are keeping your horse in an open area. And finally, consider getting a guard dog or donkey to keep the coyotes at bay.
