Boost Your Wildlife Savvy

Keep yourself and your horse safe when you cross paths with wildlife on the trail.

- Heather Smith Thomas

WILDLIFE ON AND NEAR THE TRAIL CAN POSE A DANGER to you and your horse. Although most wild animals are benign, their rapid, unexpected movements can cause a spook and even a wreck.

Depending on where you ride, you could come face-to-face with a large predator, such as a bear, mountain lion, or even a wolf. You might also need to watch out for rattlesnakes.

To decrease the risk of injury to you and your horse, here’s a handy guide on how to handle wild-animal encounters. We’ve divided the guide into five categories: ground-dwelling birds, small mammals, members of the deer family (deer, elk, and moose), rattlesnakes, and predators (bears, mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes).

You’ll learn the animals’ habits, the potential dangers they can pose to you and your horse on the trail, what to do if you encounter them, what not to do, and how to prepare for (or avoid) an encounter.

Ground-Dwelling Birds

Habits: Ground-dwelling birds (such as grouse, quail, partridge, and wild turkey) tend to crouch down and hide in tall grass or low shrubs. As you approach on horseback, they can panic and fly away. Most birds roost at night and are active during the day.

Trail dangers: Ground-dwelling birds are more of a nuisance than a danger, but they can startle your horse, creating a spook. A single bird is scary enough, but the explosive movement and noise of a covey may rattle even an experienced horse.

What to do: Stay calm, and keep your seat; your horse will likely settle down as soon as the birds fly away. If he spooks and tries to bolt, circle him until you can halt, then calm him with a soothing voice and rubs. What not to do: If you spot a bird or covey, avoid tensing and holding the reins tightly; you’ll transmit your fear to your horse, making him even more likely to spook.