Horses, Predator Deterrent?

[AGeese]

@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.

I did not unfortunately. It was such a good looking miniature horse. It didn't look miniature as in stubby, or pugged, it looked and acted like a small horse.

 

[McChooky]

No one who's raised miniature horses would suggest you use them as guardians.

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/owners-want-justice-after-they-say-horses-killed-in-dog-attack

 

[AGeese]

No one who's raised miniature horses would suggest you use them as guardians.

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/owners-want-justice-after-they-say-horses-killed-in-dog-attack

So do they just keep them locked up in a barn or are you required to have hot wire? It was more of a adoption interest than anything else, and I was curious about their potential or lack of it in that area. I have a dog so have concerns about him getting a hoof.

Edit: also just to clarify here, you might consider this a rescue actually. It survived two winters with minimal shelter in a small coral by itself without supervision out here in the country.

I figured seeing if I could purchase them and bring them to my acreage would be a significant improvement in its quality of life. I just didn't get my fence finished and I think they may have sold it as I haven't seen it lately.

 

[McChooky]

So do they just keep them locked up in a barn or are you required to have hot wire? It was more of a adoption interest than anything else, and I was curious about their potential or lack of it in that area. I have a dog so have concerns about him getting a hoof.

Edit: also just to clarify here, you might consider this a rescue actually. It survived two winters with minimal shelter in a small coral by itself without supervision out here in the country.

I figured seeing if I could purchase them and bring them to my acreage would be a significant improvement in its quality of life. I just didn't get my fence finished and I think they may have sold it as I haven't seen it lately.

. Electric fences keep canines out and the horses in but a coyote is a different story. They can jump tall fence. You would have to run multiple strands for them.You dog could easily get kicked in the head if it goes too close to its hind quarters.They usually only do it once.

 

[McChooky]

Most people keep them close to their house or barn so they can keep an eye on them.Dogs are worse than coyotes when it comes to attacking and killing livestock.

 

[AGeese]

I do have an enclosed old out building that would keep them safe and out of the elements at night or in bad weather.

 

[McChooky]

Sounds like a plan!
.

 

[McChooky]

I do have an enclosed old out building that would keep them safe and out of the elements at night or in bad weather.

My advise is finish putting up a good fence and put electric on it if you decide to rescue it.Chances are neighbors dogs will attack it if they ever get the chance.I had a pony as a child that would kill a dog if they came near him .He had a thick coat of fur which prevented them from hurting him (but he had been attacked before0

 

[sdm111]

So from time to time, there comes up various live stock or other farm animals for sale or rehome in my area. After learning of a pair of miniature donkeys, I was wondering about how of much a deterrent to predators might the entire horse family in general be?

Does anyone have any experiences with horses defending other species? or just themselves? Do they actively initiate a challenge to would be predators? Are some breeds more likely or less likely to confront predators?

I do have some personal assumptions, but I'd just like to pitch this out there to hear what the community says.

Thanks ahead!

When I was about 8 years old my older sister had a horse. It seen a snake and I have yet to see it again. It took down 2 fences and ran down the road never to be seen again. I'd say they are not