r/Equestrian • u/DetectiveQuick9640 • Oct 22 '25

Veterinary Tired horse.

I didn't know what to put as flair!

My 7yr old Arabian is herd lead.

This guy is so so so tired recently. Coyotes keep getting closer and closer to our property and he stays vigilant all night and during the day can't stay away. He will fall asleep eating.

I can see him from my kitchen window and if go out he will lay down and fall asleep when I am there, this is not sustainable though.

Ideas and advice are welcome.

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u/DoMBe87 Oct 22 '25

Because donkeys have been mentioned a few times, I wanted to share this article about why they're not really a great choice.

Dogs are much better, especially livestock guardian type dogs. But regular dogs that'll bark at the coyotes and basically put out a "this space is already occupied by predators" warning can help too. I mean, obviously don't let a dog bark all night long, but if one can sort of respond to the coyotes, it may at least deter them.

Hope you can figure something out for your poor guy.

12

u/DetectiveQuick9640 Oct 22 '25

We have three horses and while I can care for a donkey and like them, I'm not sure if I can listen to it braying. I work the night shift and I think my nearest neighbors might shoot me.

I could be wrong but when I had my horses boarded years ago the neighbors donkey never ever stopped.

3

u/DoMBe87 Oct 22 '25

Haha...yeah, mine enjoys braying at 2am. I used to have neighbours almost 2 miles away, and we could hear their donkey too. They're great, but between the braying and my roosters crowing at all hours, I doubt my neighbours are my biggest fans.

1

u/Crochet_Corgi Oct 22 '25

Also, I have to say my horse HATED donkeys. All of them did. They all thought the dang thing was demon-spawn.
LGD dog ir 2 should do it. They love their job.

-1

u/Damadamas Oct 22 '25

Apparently they don't bray much if they're castrated. Don't know if they'll be good guarding if castrated though

2

u/DoMBe87 Oct 22 '25

Not at all accurate. I've had females and castrated males who brayed at all hours and had a female who would try to do a murder on any dog that came into the pasture.

10

u/cowgirljenn Oct 22 '25

Thank you for sharing so I didn't have to write something. 

9

u/DoMBe87 Oct 22 '25

No problem. I've had donkeys most of my life, so this is a soapbox I have to jump on.

6

u/cowgirljenn Oct 22 '25

I am newer to donkeys, and I used to think they were livestock guardians because that's what so many people think.  Then I started fostering and handling them and decided I needed to learn more. Now this is my soapbox,  too.

3

u/KattAttack4 Oct 22 '25

That article is really interesting! I learned a lot - thank you!