How to Keep Coyotes Away From Horses

Coyotes are usually not a serious threat to a full-sized, healthy horse. However, foals, small ponies and sick, injured or elderly horses are more susceptible to a coyote attack. Horse owners in areas with significant coyote populations should be wary of these animals and take precautions against them. Coyotes were once limited to the plains of North America, but their range has grown over the years to encompass North and Central America. Coyotes may be found in Canada, Mexico and everywhere in the United States except Hawaii. Keeping coyotes away from horses may be challenging, but can be accomplished with initiative and diligence.

Things You'll Need

  • Woven-wire fencing
  • Motion-sensor lighting
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Instructions

    • 1

      Install woven-wire or electric fencing around your entire horse pasture. Wire fences should be at least seven feet high to prevent coyotes from jumping over them.

    • 2

      Confine your horses to well-secured paddocks at night, which is when coyotes are most likely to attack.

    • 3

      Remove the natural habitats of typical coyote prey, such as rabbits and gophers, from your pastures. This will prevent the coyotes from being attracted to your horse pastures in search of their usual prey.

    • 4

      Ensure that all pet food supplies are properly stored and inaccessible. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and may be drawn to areas with feed out in the open.

    • 5

      Remove large shrubs or weeds around your pasture; they can provide cover for coyotes.

    • 6

      Install motion-sensor lights in your pasture. Most coyotes are timid animals and prefer to hunt in darkness. The sudden appearance of bright lights should scare them off.

    • 7

      Add a guard animal, such as a donkey, llama or large breed dog, to your herd. Llamas and donkeys are aggressive toward coyotes and will often chase and kick at them until they leave. Large dogs are a natural deterrent for coyotes, but must stay with the herd to be truly effective.

    • 8

      Take extra precautions for young foals. Keep them in stalls or well-guarded paddocks and avoid separating them from your mares. Coyotes will be hesitant to attack a full-sized horse, but a young foal is easy prey. Mares will typically guard their foals from any predator attacks, but if your foal is alone or only with other foals, it's susceptible to attack. If you live in an area with a large number of coyotes, keep your mares inside the barn when foaling. A mare is especially susceptible to attack when she's giving birth.