answersLogoWhite

0

Why do horses get frightened?

Updated: 10/8/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Best Answer

Horses become frightened because they are prey animals and it is what they evolved to do. Horses have the fastest reaction time of any animal and this is because they were hunted for food by predatory animals and humans for a very long time. They had to be able to spot danger or what could be dangerous and get away from it as fast as possible to avoid being dinner for a predator, this caused horses to become easily frightened or 'spooky'.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

I do understand how some people can misunderstand an animal such as horses. They are big and for non-horse people they can be intimidating. But there really are almost no naturally mean horses. There are abused horses that need understanding and training. There are behavior problems that are best delt with by a professional. But most problems, whether in-hand or under saddle, are handler/rider error. That does not mean most horse problems are a sign of abuse but more an ignorance on the part of the human. I find that if I am having a problem with one of my horses I stop, put the horse away for the day and then I think. Don't ask 'what is wrong with this horse, I have been trying to teach him this for months" but 'what am I doing wrong that I can't make him understand what I want. ' Sometimes it is just a matter of asking in a different way. We all learn things in different ways. Horses are just the same. Horses in a herd situation may look like they are being mean to the other horses. To humans it is. To horses, that is their pecking order. It has been this way for millions of years. Unless one horse is being beaten up badly or is missing his meals from being run off by a more aggressive horse, its best to let them figure it out for themselves. Warning:Don't try to break up a fight between 2 or more horses. It is a really good way to be seriously injured.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Just like humans, cows are born with personalities, some are just born with a more aggressive personality than others. This behaviour can be due to the handling methods of the farmer, if the cow is raised with aggression than they will most likely become aggressive. This may also be due to a previous experience, the animal may have been beaten or hurt by a human and make that connection to every human being. Some mothers are protective while they have a calf suckling, she may just be protecting the calf from harm. Bulls on the other hand, are known to be more aggressive than females are, this is just due to size and general testosterone levels.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do horses get frightened?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Is frightened horses a sentence?

It is a sentence.


How do you repel horses?

Horses (and most other herd animals like cows and sheep) are frightened of almost anything they cannot recognize. Flapping cloth or paper can scare a horse away, as can an object or person that they do not know. They can be frightened by sudden noise or movement also.


What do horse do if they are frightened?

Horses have a 'flight or fight' defense mechanism in their brains. They will either face a situation, or they will run away. most horses choose to run, rather than face their fears.


Will a horse flee when it is frightened?

Horses have a flight or fight instinct, but for the most part their first thought is to run and ask questions later.


Are tunnels bendy so that horses will not bolt at the sight of light?

No. If this was so all tunnels built from the Roman times to Victorian times would be bendy as there was no other means of transport then. Making a bend in a tunnel is costly and is only done when there is an obstruction. Horses do not bolt towards something they fear, only away from from it, and only if they are suddenly frightened. If they had got as far as being in a tunnel they would not be suddenly frightened of it. Horses are not afraid of the light at the end of a tunnel.


A horses first instinct when afraid is?

A horse's first instinct when frightened or startled is to run away. The second instinct is to fight in order to protect itself.


What are comparative and superlative of frightened?

More frightened and most frightened are the comparative and superlative of frightened.


What do thoroughbreds do to protect themselves?

All horses, despite their breed, are fight or flight animals. If frightened they will first try to run. If this is not possible he may have to fight. This never works at well for the human. Horses are much bigger, stronger, and at times smarter.


What is a sentence for the word frightend?

She had never been so frightened before.Mummy, James frightened me again.


What are werewolves frightened of?

Seeing as werewolves are usually in human form they can be frightened of anything that a human could be frightened of. Though they are usually frightened of their change, as it hurts them.


Do people choke horses to settle them?

no people do not choke horses to settle them a method i use is to lower there head to the ground like to eat grass of move them in a tight circle. this will calm them down but if a horse gets frightened and pulls/kicks t you let go of the rope.


What is frightened in English?

Frightened in English to Spanish is Campronda