Horses, Predator Deterrent?

[Aunt Angus]

One of our horses killed a coyote once, kicked it in the head.

But only fear for our horse is mountain lions or wolves.

Yeah, mountain lions are our big fear. We've had bear come through, but very rarely. The fence we have puts out 10k. That would likely give bears pause. But if a mountain lion came around, there is nothing we could really do to stop it. We just close everyone up for the night behind woven wire and electric fencing. We have a wolf that passes through, too. But she's so protected and tracked that we know when because fish and game keep such a close eye on her when she's near civilization. We saw her once, but she really only comes through 2x a year.

 

[AGeese]

Thanks for the input, there's a possibility of acquiring a miniature horse with some spirit. I figured horses, bite, kick, stomp, buck, charge, and trample so wasn't sure if anyone had seen it in action this way.

 

[PicoFarm]

Thanks for the input, there's a possibility of acquiring a miniature horse with some spirit. I figured horses, bite, kick, stomp, buck, charge, and trample so wasn't sure if anyone had seen it in action this way.

@AGeese I just noticed this thread and am curious if you acquired the mini and how it worked out.

Because of the costs of horses, I would pick other critters first before them for the purpose you described. That said, I wouldn't be greatly surprised if either Shetland Pony or Appaloosa were less flighty and possibly suited to your purposes. The right ones of those breeds can be tenacious (also stubborn). They'd definitely need companions.

 

[McChooky]

Because of their size they can easily be killed and eaten themselves by coyotes.They only have hooves to protect themselves.

 

[Folly's place]

Our horses watched as a fox killed ten hens who were out in their pasture one day, years ago. Not so helpful!
I'm sure that our mares would have protected a foal, but chickens? They just didn't care.
And ponies and minis are so vulnerable! Dogs, coyotes, not to mention cougars, etc.
Maybe the right big donkey...
Equines and dogs are both expensive to keep; electric fencing is much less expensive!
Mary

 

[theoldchick]

Out of all the horses I owned, I had one that was a true predator guardian. She killedjust about anything that came in her pasture. She was extremely territorial and did not tolerate dogs, cats, fox, skunks, coyotes. When she became to old to ride she was turned out with the calves and continued with her job. She had her technique and was swift in killing her prey.

 

[casportpony]

Our horses watched as a fox killed ten hens who were out in their pasture one day, years ago. Not so helpful!

The fox eats ducks & chickens in our pasture too. The ponies do not care.

 

[McChooky]

Miniature horses aren't territorial like donkeys and aren't going to run something off just because its in the fence with them. They couldn't care less if a coyote came along and ate everything else as long as it didn't try to eat it.

 

[Kanekoded]

My neighbors have llamas that keep the coyote, fox and smaller critters away.

 

[jus10inla]

Raise donkey from baby they will prtect, otherwise they are the predators. If u can catch it again send it to the glue factory, ifu cant catch it a 17hmr behind the ear works just as good and same result