Horses are skittish animals and can be afraid of a great many things some of them so bizarre that it makes you wonder what there is to be afraid of. Likewise, they’ll exhibit no fear of things that will easily frighten you or me. So what gives? What are horses afraid of? And Why?
In this article, we’ll explore the psychology of fear in horses, we’ll review their evolution from wild animals living in herds to domestication, what some of their top fears are, what animals they fear, which one’s they don’t, and how they exhibit fear.
Horses & Fear – Why Are Horses Always Afraid?
Horses are prey animals. This means that in the natural scheme of things they are made to be hunted for food by predatory animals.
Like all prey animals, they have a natural disposition to be afraid of anything that might pose a threat to them. This is why horses in the wild are constantly on the lookout for predators.
Despite millennia of domestication, horses have not lost their natural fear of the lurking predator. This explains why horses will so easily spook at anything that they perceive as a threat and why they are often skittish and jumpy.
This is also why horses are generally more afraid of things that move quickly, make sudden noises, or come at them from an unusual angle. These are all things that might indicate the presence of a predator.
Like other prey animals, their survival instinct is based on flight or fight. And given the option, horses will choose flight rather than fight and start running.
Horses are also very social animals. When they lived in the wild, they lived in herds. Even today, wild horses are often found in large herds. The social structure of the herd was very important to horses and used to be a safety net. In the wild, the herd provided them with safety in numbers. There are more eyes to look out for predators and more bodies to help fight them off if need be.
And this herd instinct and behavior too remains quite intact in the domesticated horse. Loneliness can be a cause of fear. This is also why many horse owners will find companions for their horses – usually another animal. A growing trend is to use goats because goats have a calming effect on horses. And they can help the horse deal with its fears of loneliness.
What Are Horses AFRAID Of THE MOST?
So what are horses scared of the most? Horses are not predators. They are prey animals. And so horses are most scared of potential predators or something that might indicate the presence of a predator.
The latter point is important because it means that horses can sometimes be afraid of things that pose no real threat to them, but because they perceive them as a threat they will react accordingly. This is called a conditioned fear response. In a conditioned fear response, the horse associates a particular thing (object, sound, sight, etc) with danger and so reacts to it as if it were dangerous even when it isn’t.
So, horses are also scared of sudden movements, loud noises and anything that comes to them as a surprise. They can be scared of loud cars, blaring horns, bicycles, dogs, and even plastic bags blowing in the wind. They can also be scared of camera flashes, gunshots, and thunder. And they can be afraid of the more obvious triggers like fire and earthquakes.
What Animals Are Horses Afraid Of?
The animals that horses are actually afraid of are their most natural predators. This includes coyotes, wolves, bears and mountain lions.
Interestingly, while horses are prey animals, they are also one of the few prey animals that will sometimes kill their predators or a perceived threat. This is usually done in self-defense or in defense of their young, but it does happen.
Contrary to popular belief horses are not instinctively scared of animals we humans tend to be scared of. For instance, horses are not afraid of snakes. Nor are they afraid of mice. However, they are sometimes afraid of a snake’s sudden movement which a horse can find threatening. So it may seem that a horse is scared of a snake, but in fact it probably is simply startled by the snake’s sudden movement. Likewise, they may find the sudden appearance and movements of a mouse could trigger a horse’s prey animal response.
Likewise, horses are not scared of camels either. But they are often repelled by a camel’s odor.
And so a horse’s adverse reaction to camels is not fear but instead a reaction to the odor. But because this reaction can be the same as when the horse is frightened, it may give the impression that the horse is scared of the camel.
How Do Horses Show Fear?
If you own a horse you must have already seen your horse being afraid of something. Classic signs include flared nostrils, ears pointing backward or to the side, whites of the eyes showing, and tail swishing.
Horses may also try to move away from the object or situation they are afraid of. They may back up, wheel around, bolt, kick, strike, rear, or even buck. Other signs include heavy breathing, snorting, grinding of teeth, sweating and trembling.
Knowing how your horse shows fear will be essential for you to be able to help your horse deal with its fears.
Final Thoughts
Horses are animals that are easily scared. Scaring easily is in fact a survival mechanism for prey animals. If they startle easily they are more likely to spot a potential predator before it is too late and they can escape. Being afraid means living longer!
So what are horses afraid of? Horses are afraid of potential predators, loud noises, and sudden movements. They can also be afraid of things that pose no real threat to them but which they associate with danger.
Each horse is different and will have its own unique fears and its own way of exhibiting those fears. As a horse owner or handler, it is important to know what your horse is afraid of so that you can devise ways to help it cope with these fears.
