Mounted search and rescue

[Lyne <lyne612@yahoo.com>]

I'd say the only "natural instinct" a horse has in relation to harnubg people is to avoid stepping on them when running (or anything that might cause an injury to the horse). 

 

All the other insights giving in regards to horse behavior are about what behaviors to expect when a person becomes part of the horse's herd.  A human can expect every behavior that a horse exhibits to other horses under domestication.  Training, not instinct, will alter the behaviors.

 

So, my answer to the question is NO.  The horse does not have a natural instinct not to harm people, because the horse's natural herd behavior including pushing, kicking, rearing, and playing CAN be harmful to a human.  YES, they would intentionally harm people to protect themselves and unintentionally harm people by treating them like horses.

 

Lyne

I'm with Great Lakes Search Team, of Battle Creek Michigan.  I was recently asked by a local professor if horses have a "natural instinct" to not charge/harm people.  I told him that they are primarily animals of prey, and not prey animals, and therefore I don't believe they would intentionally harm people, but advised him that I would ask the experts (you).  Any info on this would help.  Thanks. 

Emily L. Horsman

 

Emily L. Horsman
Academic Advisor
Kellogg Community College