The most dangerous horse breed is not what most people would expect.
Horses are often thought of as docile, gentle creatures with little in the way of defences.
It’s not uncommon for children to dream of owning a horse, asking year after year to receive one for Christmas.
The simple truth is that while horses are herbivorous prey animals, they are far from defenceless.
Specifically bred to be fierce and aggressive, most dangerous horse breeds have been trained since birth by humans who understand their instincts and can control them on command.
They make excellent war mounts or even police horses because they will never shy away from danger!
A horse could easily hurt you if it wanted to
Horses often hurt people by stepping on them or riding over them.
The kind of injuries horses can inflict are consistent across all breeds, so this article will provide you with more information on the various attacks.
Some breeds, such as the Icelandic horse or Tibetan Horse, have a reputation for being particularly aggressive.
Their bites are particularly dangerous because they can easily break through bone and are used to bite predators!
Other mounts that often inflict injuries include Clydesdale Horses, Appaloosas, Friesians and Quarter Horses.
Wild Horse Breeds
When some people say “wild horses,” they are referring to feral horses.
There are only one species of wild horse left, and that’s the Przewalski’ There There are only one species of wild horse left – the Przewalski’s Horse.
It would be foolish to approach or try to pet a feral horse, as they are unpredictable and can prove very dangerous.
Przewalski’s Horse
While these horses aren’t extinct, they are still endangered.
Takhi is not domesticated horses used for riding or show.
Part of this may be because it is a holy animal in Mongolia and largely because they are too wild and will not allow trainers.
There are many differences between wild horses and their domesticated counterparts.
Domesticated horses have 64 chromosomes, while Przewalski’s Horses are different-they have 66.
They are also much taller and have different builds.
Their front legs were longer than their hind ones, which is why they run like a dog when the galloping-their back end would never keep up with the front!
The Przewalski’s Horse has been hunted to near extinction because it was considered an easy target for hungry predators.
Much like domestic horses, the Takhi would try to fight back and will bite if they are scared or threatened.
This dangerous horse breed is sadly only found in zoos now, as their population continues to decrease every year.
To avoid getting hurt by a domesticated animal such as an Icelandic Horse, it is important to know what you are doing and respect their space.
If a horse feels threatened by your presence, it could try to kick or bite you!
It’s also important that children understand this information so they don’t get themselves into trouble with an animal as strong and potentially dangerous as a horse.
Domesticated Horse Breeds
Many people’s experience with horses comes from the fictional media they consume, where horses are humanized and made into noble companions.
Those with regular interactions with horses mostly come across female horses and neutered males.
Stallions, in both wild and domesticated settings, are much more disruptive.
They are the dominant males, and they will attack other male horses as well as people.
Stallions also have much sharper teeth than female horses do-they can easily bite through bone!
The more recent trend in horse breeding has been to keep them less aggressive by desexing them at a young age.
This removes all the male hormones, making them safer to handle and much less likely to bite!
Warning Signs That a Horse May Attack
It should be known that around all horses need to be mindful.
A horse may show a number of warning signs before they attack, but the most common signals can be summarized as follows
Here are some tips for recognizing if a horse is getting restless:
1) A quickening pace or stillness with ears pricked in each direction and nostrils flared
It is important to recognize these warning signs because the horse may just be curious or excited and you want to avoid getting attacked by a huge animal!
2) Head held higher than normal
The horse is about to charge-run
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best not to approach the horse until they’ve calmed down.
3) Fighting with other horses
A horse will typically fight by biting one another, and in rare cases, it is possible to be fatally bitten. For example, if a wild horse attacks you then they may bite your neck or shoulders-this can result in death.
In domesticated settings, this behaviour is less common because the animals are accustomed to humans and less likely to attack.
4) A horse with teeth bared
This is a clear sign that the animal is ready to attack. It’s important to be cautious and not provoke them by running up to or touching their neck while they are agitated!
When it comes to Icelandic Horses, you should always have an experienced handler in control of the animal at all times.
5) The horse is running
If the animal starts galloping, it could be a sign that they are scared of trying to get away from something.
A domesticated horse will often try to stop and fight back when being attacked; this means you should use caution when approaching them!
Reasons Horses Get Aggressive
Horses are not always trying to hurt you (though they can inflict great pain); sometimes, they are merely trying to communicate.
Lack of Resources
If a horse does not get enough hay, water or attention, it will show you its displeasure.
If a horse is left alone, it will get bored and may start acting out to get attention.
Lack of Exercise
When horses are not moving around often enough, their muscles tighten up this can lead to stiffness and aggression.
A lack of exercise also means that the animal’s energy levels decrease; this could be an issue if they are being kept in a small space.
Medical Issues
Sometimes, there is an underlying medical condition that can lead to aggressive behaviour.
For example, some horses have seizures which may cause them to bite people; others might be suffering from severe head injuries or neurological disorders.
If the horse needs treatment for these conditions then it will not be aggressive.
Pain and Discomfort
When active, toddlers often kick at the insects and flies buzzing around their stomach and legs.
Similarly, when horses are in pain they will lash out by kicking or biting.
This is a reflexive response- the horse has been startled and it’s trying to move away from its attacker!
If this occurs then you should keep your distance until their muscles relax back down.
It can be hard for some people to spot these early warning signs.
We recommend desexing your horse before they start puberty, which would remove all their male hormones and make them safer to handle and less likely to bite!
A horse may show several warning signs before attacking-the most common signals can be summarized as follows: the animal will quicken its pace, hold its head higher than usual and have nostrils flared.
If you notice any of these signs then it’s best not to approach the horse until they’ve calmed down because if they are attacked by a wild animal or person then this can result in death! It is important to be cautious when approaching horses as their instinct will often lead them to bite.
Least Dangerous Breeds
Some of the biggest, most powerful horses are also those least likely to cause injury unintentionally.
Some of the best breeds for children are:
– Icelandic Horses
– Exmoor ponies
– Appaloosas
These animals might be less likely to react aggressively than others.
You must remember not to approach an unfamiliar horse without a handler because they may bite if startled!
If this happens then it’s safest to remain still and wait until they have calmed down before approaching.
Conclusion
In conclusion, horses are not the most dangerous animals in the world.
While they may seem docile and harmless, a quick snap or kick can easily injure you if it wanted to.
Wild horse breeds like Przewalski’s Horse and Domesticated Horse Breeds such as Clydesdale have been domesticated for centuries but still retain their wild instincts.
The best way to avoid an attack is to be aware of warning signs that signal aggression from your equine friend.
If you see any of this signs-a quickening pace or stillness with ears pricked in each direction and nostrils flared-, get away immediately!
Horses will become aggressive for many reasons including being startled by sudden movement or sound, feeling threatened
