Charlie killed a snake today!

[ycbm]

OK, it wasn't a snake but he sure as eggs is eggs didn't know that.

We were bimbling along beside a hedge and there was a branch on the ground, about 2 meters long and 5cm in diameter. I assumed he'd just step over it. Instead, his whole body screamed "DANGER!!!" and he half reared and struck out with his front feet as hard as he could and stamped that snake to death. Bang, bang, right on it.

It was amazing, fancy that primeval instinct kicking in like that. Clever boy.
.

 

[humblepie]

He was protecting him and you! Mine would just fall over it. whereas previous one would have run in the other direction (he evented but wouldn't walk over a pole). I can remember years ago being told that is why horse's don't like a dangling leadrope or similar as it could be a snake.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh wow! That’s pretty amazing.
I remember riding and leading along a road a few years back and realising a snake had “joined us” just slithering alongside for when felt like (sure it wasn’t) ages, I was terrified of their reaction had they seen it. Yours would not have been at all the reaction I’d expected!

 

[Wizpop]

That is really something! As you say, amazing how instinct kicks in! What a brave boy

 

[SilverLinings]

Your horse sounds far more normal than one of mine @ycbm, a few times over the last few years we have come across adders and grass snakes and he is obsessed with them. I have to keep him away from the live ones, and the dead ones we've seen on the road he wants to sniff and poke for ages until I drag him away. Your horse sounds far more sensible, mine would clearly do nothing to defend us from a dangerous man/horse eating snake if we met one You are clearly in safe hands hooves with Charlie, and he is clearly very brave.

On a slight tangent I have never known a horse so interested in dead things, mine also wants to spend ages investigating other dead animals we come across (badgers, rabbits, birds, rats etc), I'm not sure if it's because they smell like a badger etc and he is confused why they aren't moving? Either that or he fancies himself for the part of the Midsommer Murders pathologist...

 

[JackFrost]

I had one that 'killed' a jam sandwich. I wormed in a jam sandwich, but that time used a different wormer that the horse found offensive and spat out.
To be fair, the horse did give the sandwich a lot of warning, but when it didn't run away, horse furiously stamped it to death. Sorry sandwich .

 

[maya2008]

Very sensible of him! Our newest one would run like the wind, New Forest buddy would kill it like Charlie!

 

[scruffyponies]

Mine would more likely try to eat it.

 

[J&S]

Gosh! good horse. I bet that gave you a surprise! No snakes here but the only rat I have seen in the 5 years I have had my ponies at home was very dead in the companion ponies stable! I am damn sure she stamped on it.

 

[cauda equina]

Your horse sounds far more normal than one of mine @ycbm, a few times over the last few years we have come across adders and grass snakes and he is obsessed with them. I have to keep him away from the live ones, and the dead ones we've seen on the road he wants to sniff and poke for ages until I drag him away. Your horse sounds far more sensible, mine would clearly do nothing to defend us from a dangerous man/horse eating snake if we met one You are clearly in safe hands hooves with Charlie, and he is clearly very brave.

On a slight tangent I have never known a horse so interested in dead things, mine also wants to spend ages investigating other dead animals we come across (badgers, rabbits, birds, rats etc), I'm not sure if it's because they smell like a badger etc and he is confused why they aren't moving? Either that or he fancies himself for the part of the Midsommer Murders pathologist...

One of mine was fascinated by dead things, sniffing poking pawing and licking

 

[criso]

I once found a fairly flat looking rat in Frankie's stable once however his foraging instinct was so strong that I don't think he'd mistake a branch for anything other than a snack.

 

[SilverLinings]

One of mine was fascinated by dead things, sniffing poking pawing and licking

I am relieved that mine isn't the only one, but it is very odd!

 

[cauda equina]

I am relieved that mine isn't the only one, but it is very odd!

Isn't it! I wondered if mine hadn't got the message about horses being herbivores

 

[Rumtytum]

Charlie is definitely in the Brave Horse Camp, what a boy!
On the other hand… as I was riding ‘my’ normally rock solid RS Welsh D towards the arena we encountered a coiled green hose someone had left out. Welsh blew up to twice his size, eyes on stalks as we pirouetted past half inside the hedge on the other side of the path . Definitely embracing his primeval fears, bless him.

 

[SEL]

When I was up on Cannock chase one of the welshies did exactly that - real snake too... Owner was white as a sheet.

Not sure how my current mob would be. The Appy would probably pick it up.

 

[Bluewaves]

I think my rascal would probably pick it up too .
Don't you just love horses and all their differences! Charlie is very studly.

 

[HeresHoping]

I grew up in Africa and saw this happen, twice. For those of you who are old enough, you may remember the TV series, Flame Trees of Thika. We had a little grey pony called Bambi that was used in the series as Elspeth Huxley's Moyale. Unfortunately, Bambi wasn't so savvy when it came to snakes and was bitten by a puff adder on her hock. The resultant necrosis went all the way up to her withers, along her spine, and she had a huge scar on her bum. I think it was actually written into the script as the scar was so prominent.

On the horrible flip side, one of the horses that I saw kill a snake - just as Charlie did, rearing up and stamping on it until dead, also did exactly the same to a hairy Jack Russell puppy that ran into its path. The owner was riding in her arena and someone accidentally let the puppy out of the house and it went looking for the owner. It charged across the arena not 2m in front of the horse, and the horse killed the puppy. It was awful. He kept stamping on it.

Sorry. As you were with the funny stories.

 

[Tarragon]

Tricky one - does a horse that tries to "kill" a stick have a higher sense of self-preservation than one who recognises it for what it actually is and wants to eat it??

 

[criso]

Tricky one - does a horse that tries to "kill" a stick have a higher sense of self-preservation than one who recognises it for what it actually is and wants to eat it??

I suppose if you think it's a snake and it turns out to be a stick, then the worst is you have mashed snack, trying to eat a snake has far worse consequences.

 

[asmp]

OK, it wasn't a snake but he sure as eggs is eggs didn't know that.

We were bimbling along beside a hedge and there was a branch on the ground, about 2 meters long and 5cm in diameter. I assumed he'd just step over it. Instead, his whole body screamed "DANGER!!!" and he half reared and struck out with his front feet as hard as he could and stamped that snake to death. Bang, bang, right on it.

It was amazing, fancy that primeval instinct kicking in like that. Clever boy.
.

Mine struck out at a rabbit while out hacking a few months ago. It ran straight in front of his legs and he surprised me out quickly he struck out. He didn’t get it luckily but I was impressed with his reactions.

 

[Hannahgb]

We had one do it to a crow out in the field

 

[Annagain]

Your horse sounds far more normal than one of mine @ycbm, a few times over the last few years we have come across adders and grass snakes and he is obsessed with them. I have to keep him away from the live ones, and the dead ones we've seen on the road he wants to sniff and poke for ages until I drag him away. Your horse sounds far more sensible, mine would clearly do nothing to defend us from a dangerous man/horse eating snake if we met one You are clearly in safe hands hooves with Charlie, and he is clearly very brave.

On a slight tangent I have never known a horse so interested in dead things, mine also wants to spend ages investigating other dead animals we come across (badgers, rabbits, birds, rats etc), I'm not sure if it's because they smell like a badger etc and he is confused why they aren't moving? Either that or he fancies himself for the part of the Midsommer Murders pathologist...

Sounds like Archie. Out riding on Gower once we came across a little herd of wild ponies with a very protective, very aggressive stallion. Friends' horses turned and ran. Archie was stood there whickering and licking and chewing at him trying to make friends .

 

[nellietinker]

We had a shetland who once killed a fox in the field. The old ex pacer we had would attack pigs given half a chance and also pigs in woolly jumpers (sheep)

 

[First Frost]

I was hacking out on one of those hot days we had in June and my horse - very experienced but sensitive Connemara - suddenly did a step as if he was walking over a raised pole. I looked down into the heather and saw that he had carefully stepped over a basking adder! It was lying there quite undisturbed. He is a horse who is incredibly aware of where he is putting his feet, he obviously saw it at the last minute and decided the best thing to do was quietly step over!

 

[Cragrat]

Nice that the instinct is still strong in one the most 'humanised' breeds

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Beau stepped on this grass snake, I think. I found it in his bed. Maybe it was baled?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

OK, it wasn't a snake but he sure as eggs is eggs didn't know that.

We were bimbling along beside a hedge and there was a branch on the ground, about 2 meters long and 5cm in diameter. I assumed he'd just step over it. Instead, his whole body screamed "DANGER!!!" and he half reared and struck out with his front feet as hard as he could and stamped that snake to death. Bang, bang, right on it.

It was amazing, fancy that primeval instinct kicking in like that. Clever boy.
.

Oh wow clever boy, just shows you they never loose their wild instincts for danger. Wish I had seen that on head camera. would have made a you been framed.

 

[Aperchristmas]

Beau stepped on this grass snake, I think. I found it in his bed. Maybe it was baled?
View attachment 120665

Teehee I think I needed to see your signature BEFORE the photo

 

[Hollylee1989]

Clever boy, you showed that snake!

 

[oldandgold]

Would have liked to have had Charlie on hand in May. On holiday, walking through woods and youngest running along track suddenly leaps and side swerves in the air then
stands rock still. When we got to her I'm thinking great, vet bill, but no she had spotted an adder on the path at the last minute. Thank god she had the sense to stand still.