Who Blinks First When a Grizzly Bear Stares Down a Stable of Horses?

Who would have the upper hand between a small herd of horses and a grizzly bear? Could the horses intimidate the bear if they stood their ground and stuck together? A video from YouTube shows how a small group of horses reacted when they noticed a grizzly bear foraging in the woods near their pen.

Do grizzly bears regularly attack horses? Are horses swift enough to make a quick getaway? What about wild horses that can’t be protected inside fences or barns? Read on to find out.

Where Do Grizzly Bears Live?

Grizzly bears once roamed through most of the western United States. In the 1800s, they could be found in states such as Texas, California, Kansas, and as far south as Mexico. When the settlers moved West, they pushed the grizzly bear range north.

Today, grizzly bears still live in the Pacific Northwest, including Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Their range extends up through western Canada and into Alaska. Aside from Alaska, Montana has the biggest grizzly bear population in the U.S. Conservation efforts that began in 1975 have helped revive grizzly bear populations.

Grizzly bears are recovering in Yellowstone National Park and the Northern Rockies. Aside from Yellowstone, another excellent place to see grizzly bears in the wild in the U.S. is along the Pacific Northwest Trail, where the grizzly bear range is in 94% of the trail.

What Do Grizzly Bears Eat?

Grizzly bears are omnivores. They will eat a variety of plants and hunt for food; they are also not above scavenging for a meal. Campers and hikers know to be careful with their food when in bear territory so as not to lure bears into their campsite.

According to Yellowstone Science, grizzly bears are opportunistic diners. They hunt for prey as large as moose and elk, but they also eat tiny insects, including ants and midges. They raid campsites for groceries and garbage, and they eat a variety of plants and mushrooms. Grizzly bears prefer high-calorie food that helps them bulk up for their long hibernations.

Will Grizzly Bears Attack and Eat Horses?

Grizzly bears have been caught multiple times on trail cams chasing wild horses. Footage from Alberta, Canada, showed a herd of wild horses fleeing with a grizzly bear right behind them.

Grizzly bears are also not above attacking and eating farm animals, such as sheep, cows, and goats. The Bear Guy posted a video on YouTube showing a grizzly bear foraging for vegetation near a horse pen. From a short distance, the bear stops and stares at the horses. The horses turn to face the bear and gather together, showing strength in numbers. At first, there are three horses standing together, then a fourth slowly walks up to join the herd.

It appears as though the bear is considering whether or not to attack the horses or stick to the vegetation. According to the video’s description, “A young male grizzly…ventured too close for comfort from the horse pen. His goal was to feed on the vegetation, but for a brief second, I’m sure he was contemplating horse for dinner. The horses grouped up and they had power in numbers, and the bear continue to feed.”

How Will a Horse Defend Itself Against a Grizzly Bear?

Grizzly bears weigh 400 to 800 pounds. With sharp claws and teeth, it would be hard for a horse to fight off a bear, even with powerful kicks and sharp hooves. A horse’s best defense against a bear is to flee.

At 35 miles per hour, Grizzly bears can easily outrun humans. This is why common advice is to never try to outrun a bear, you won’t make it far. Horses, however, face much better odds at getting away. Wild horses, like the mustangs in the video from Alberta, run an average of 25 to 30 miles per hour but can sprint at 55 miles per hour. A horse’s best defense against a bear is to leave the area.

Grizzly Bears Are More Likely to Attack Horses When Other Food Is Scarce

The horses in the video in the horse pen did not try to run but stood their ground. The bear never grew threatening, but simply eyed the horses and went back to foraging. Bears will eat high-calorie items that take the least amount of work to get. If more convenient food choices are available, a bear probably won’t go tearing after fast horses.

In the early spring, before vegetation is dense, when the bears have just emerged from their hibernation, they are hungry, and food may be scarce. Add to that, foals, which are more vulnerable than fully grown horses, are also born in spring. It’s at this time that horses are the most vulnerable to bear attacks. Perhaps the bear in the video was enjoying foraging for plentiful vegetation and thought the group of horses staring it down were more trouble than they were worth.