The question – Why do horses fear snakes – presupposes that horses are, in fact, afraid of snakes. But are they really? Or is it something else about snakes that spooks them instead?
Keep reading to find out what horses are afraid of, whether they are afraid of snakes, and if yes under what circumstances might that be.
What Are Horses Afraid Of?
Horses are afraid of a great many things. But, like all animals, horses are afraid of their natural predators. This includes coyotes, mountain lions, wolves, and bears. But horses are skittish by nature and so they can be easily spooked by anything that is new or out of the ordinary to them or anything that makes sudden and quick movements.
Fear in horses can also be triggered by environmental factors, such as loud noises and unfamiliar surroundings. Anyone who rides knows that horses tend to be scared of many things. And they can scare easily. We’ve all seen the signs – flared nostrils, wide eyes, ears pinned back, and a swishing tail.
If horses become scared or feel threatened, their first instinct is to run away. This reaction is known as the fight-or-flight response, and it’s a survival mechanism that all animals have but is especially common in prey animals like horses.
Are Horses Afraid Of Snakes?
Horses are not predisposed to being afraid of snakes as they are to their more natural predators. In fact, most snakes are harmless and pose no threat to horses whatsoever. And so if a horse comes across a snake, it will likely not be bothered by it. this is why horses don’t bother keeping snakes away.
But horses, as we’ve seen, can be scared of a snake’s movements which can be startling and seem threatening.
Horses also have a natural curiosity and will often approach new things to investigate them. So, if a horse sees a snake for the first time, it is likely to be startled. But once the horse realizes that the snake is not a threat, it will usually calm down.
Also, unlike humans, a horse is not aware that snakes can be venomous. So, a horse’s fear of snakes can be a learned behavior from its handler rather than an innate fear. Its instinctive fear is not going to be triggered simply at the sight of a remote snake.
The scene from movies where a horse rears up in fear at the sight of a snake is rather an exception than the rule. In fact, horses are more likely to be curious than afraid when it comes to snakes. Also, most snakes will simply slither away if a horse approaches. So, what gives?
Well, there are circumstances in which a horse might be scared of a snake. Let’s explore these next.
When Can Horses Be Afraid Of Snakes?
One circumstance when a horse might be afraid of snakes is based on its prior experience. If it has had a bad experience with a snake in the past – whether it be being bitten or just having had a snake slither past them in a way that startled them – it may very well be afraid, or least wary of snakes from then on.
In most cases, if a horse encounters a snake in its pasture or paddock, it will likely just stare at it and then walk away. It’s only when a snake is perceived as a threat that a horse will react in fear.
There are several reasons why a horse might see a snake as a threat. If the snake is hissing or coiled up, the horse may think it is about to strike. The horse may also be afraid of the snake’s movement. Snakes can move very fast, and a horse may not be able to predict its next move.
Another reason why horses may be afraid of snakes is that they are not familiar with them. If a horse has never seen a snake before, it may be scared of the unknown.
There’s also the question of the horse’s personality. Like all animals, every horse is different. Some horses are more prone to being afraid than others. If a horse is generally skittish or easily spooked, it’s can become scared of a snake even when the snake poses no obvious threat to the horse.
Final Thoughts
So the answer to the question – Why do horses fear snakes – is that they do not instinctively fear snakes as they do their natural predators. However, horses are skittish by nature and so may see a snake’s movements as a threat.
And if a horse has had a prior negative experience with a snake or if it is timid by nature, it may also fear snakes. So it is important to remember that not all horses are afraid of snakes and that some may even be curious about them. It really depends on the individual horse and its experiences.
