The Protective Nature of Horses

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No animal has propelled humans into the modern world quite like horses. First domesticated in around 3500 BCE, horses have spread across the globe and, in the process, helped the spread of civilization. They are regal animals, equipped with incredible balance and grace. Their domestication has produced “warm” and “cold-blooded” types. The former are quick to flee, but quicker to learn. The latter exhibit preternatural strength and patience.

Though horses are ultimately prey animals and easily startled, they show great affection for humans. This behavior manifests as nuzzling, kissing, licking, and following people around. But what about the protective nature of horses? Watch the video above, and we will explore the topic further.

Fight-or-Flight

As prey animals, horses exhibit a strong fight-or-flight response. Many horses will become startled before fleeing when faced with a potential threat. Others, however, will hang around for a second to ascertain the threat. This behavior lessens with proper training and socialization, especially around humans.

Some large draft horses can weigh up to 2,500 lbs, although most horse breeds weigh significantly less. Even with proper training, horses can still be incredibly dangerous. There’s a long list of people throughout history who have been killed by horses. While many of these deaths are attributed to nasty falls or kicks to the head, a sizeable horse can crush and kill a person with their body weight.

Hierarchy

As herd animals, horses exhibit a natural tendency for hierarchy amongst their ranks. Typically, a dominant mare takes a leadership position, with the rest of the herd falling in line behind them. They are social and exhibit more positive tendencies when in a group. Horses isolated for too long express negative, compulsive behaviors like weaving and wood chewing.

This instinctual hierarchy of horses extends to nearby humans. In the video above, the horse forcefully pushes into the girl. This behavior is often referred to as ‘crowding’ or ‘pushing,’ and it can be a sign of dominance or a lack of respect for personal space. Horses often try to control the behavior of those around them to establish dominance in the herd.

Protection

At the same time, horses can be incredibly protective of their human companions. As soon as the horse pushes into the girl, another one appears and nips at the offender. Perhaps the defending horse wants to establish dominance, or it has a closer bond with the girl. This protective move suggests a greater loyalty to her and a willingness to protect her safety.

Though they are often finicky, there’s a reason humans have kept horses around for millennia. They are graceful, intelligent, useful, and more than willing to protect their owners from perceived threats. Their emotional intelligence and grace make them the perfect animals for animal-assisted therapy.