Are horses afraid of deer? Instinctively, they’re not. But while on a trail, horses can be startled by a deer leaping out in front of them. So the horses feel fear not because the object in front is a deer – the deer itself isn’t scary – but more because of the sudden movement that the deer makes.
If you’re riding on a path and a deer slowly walks across in front of you, the horse is more likely to be curious than afraid. And a mature, wizened horse is likely to be completely unconcerned by the presence of a deer.
Let’s find out what are horses naturally afraid of and the circumstances under which some horses may be afraid of deer.
What Are Horses Scared Of?
Horses are skittish by nature, so it doesn’t take much for them to feel fear. In fact, horses are afraid of plenty of things. Sudden noises, movement, and unfamiliar objects are all potential sources of fear.
But what horses fear the most are their natural predators. These include coyotes, mountain lions, bears, wild dogs, etc.
In the wild, horses live in herds for protection from predators. When a predator is around, the horses in the herd will band together and confront the predator or try to run away.
This fight-or-flight instinct is still present in domesticated horses and given a choice flight is preferred over fight. After all, horses can usually outrun most of their natural predators.
Just as the sight of a natural predator can cause a horse to feel fear the perceived threat of a predator can also create fear. This perceived threat can come in the form of loud noises, sudden movements, or unfamiliar objects.
When horses are scared they exhibit classic symptoms like wide eyes, flared nostrils, and raised hackles. In severe cases, horses may even bolt or try to kick or bite their perceived attacker.
Are Horses Afraid of Deer?
So, are horses afraid of deer? Instinctively, horses are not afraid of deer because a deer, without a doubt, is not a natural predator. As we’ve seen, horses are skittish by nature and tend to get spooked by sudden noises and movements.
So imagine you’re on your horse calmly trotting down a path when, all of a sudden, a deer leaps out in front of you. The horse may be startled by the sudden movement and make a quick dash away from the deer.
But this isn’t because the horse is afraid of deer, it’s just startled. It could have just as easily been startled by a bird flying out of the bushes or a wild rabbit running across the path.
However, if a horse is frequently exposed to deer, it will become more accustomed to their presence and less likely to be startled by them.
When Might a Horse Be Afraid of Deer?
Like with humans, when horses develop a fear of something that is not a natural predator, it has often stemmed from a traumatic event in their past. And more often than not, these traumatic events have occurred in childhood.
Foals and young horses tend to be inquisitive and their curiosity can sometimes land them in trouble. For instance, a curious foal may approach a deer and get too close for comfort. The startled deer could kick out at the foal. If the foal has a genuinely fearful experience with a deer it could develop a phobia of deer that could grow into adulthood.
Likewise, if a deer is nursing or guarding its young, it may attack a horse that gets too close. This could cause the horse to be wary of all deer in the future.
But such scenarios are not commonplace. In most cases, horses and deer are able to peacefully coexist. Even when they share the same pasture, horses and deer will usually go about their business without incident.
After all, horses and deer have a lot in common. They are both docile herbivores that graze on grass with no natural animosity or competitive between them.
The Bottom Line
No, horses are not afraid of deer. But they may be startled by them if they are not accustomed to their presence. And in some rare cases, a horse may have developed a phobia of deer stemming from a traumatic event in its past. But for the most part, horses and deer are able to peacefully coexist.
