Wolf contact in horses at permanent pasture in Germany.
Authors: Krueger Konstanze, Gruentjens Theo, Hempel Enno
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Wolf Contact in Horses at Permanent Pasture in Germany Between 2015 and 2022, Krueger and colleagues conducted extended field observations of 13 horses maintained year-round across two German pastures within an established wolf pack's territory, using wildlife cameras to document predator and prey presence over the study period. Camera traps recorded 984 wolf visits and 3,151 wildlife sightings across both locations, with notably different patterns: the smaller mixed-breed group (Pasture 1) experienced 89 wolf recordings during the January–March 2022 observation window, whilst the larger group of older warmblood and draught horses (Pasture 2) had zero wolf contacts despite abundant wildlife presence. Critically, no wolf predation events occurred on any mature horses throughout the entire study period, and behavioural observations revealed no visible indicators of panic, distress, or compromised welfare in response to wolf presence. The researchers suggest wolves may preferentially exploit abundant alternative prey species—particularly hares and wild boar—rather than attempting to hunt established groups of adult horses, and that larger, stable groups of heavy breeds may present a more formidable anti-predator defence than smaller herds. These findings challenge assumptions about wolf danger to pastured horses and suggest Central European equine populations may habituate to non-predatory wolf presence, though practitioners should note this concerns mature animals in permanent pasture with diverse wildlife availability; further research into anti-predator behaviour patterns and risk factors for different horse types remains warranted before generalising findings.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Based on this long-term German study, mature horses on well-managed pastures with abundant wildlife present acceptable risk levels for wolf coexistence—panic and attacks were not observed despite regular wolf presence
- •Group composition may matter: larger herds of heavier, older horses appeared to discourage wolf visits more than smaller mixed groups, suggesting herd structure influences predation risk
- •Ensure pastures have adequate wildlife habitat and food sources nearby, as wolves preferentially hunt wild prey over horses when alternatives are available
Key Findings
- •Over 7.5 years of observation, wolves were recorded 984 times on or near pastures with 13 horses, but no predation or attack incidents occurred
- •Horses showed no visible signs of reduced welfare or panic behavior despite 89 wolf recordings at one pasture between January-March 2022
- •Wolves may preferentially prey on abundant wildlife (hares, wild boar) rather than adult horses when alternative food sources are available
- •Larger groups of older, heavier breed horses may deter wolf presence more effectively than smaller mixed-breed groups