Can a domesticated horse survive in the wilderness?

Having a little dispute over this subject. I say a horse is a horse and even a domesticated horse, when turned out, can survive in the wilderness.

I base my perspective on the fact that a horse, being inherently wild, should have no problem surviving when turned out.

My opponent believes they will starve and die.

Which one of us is right.

(Don't go easy on me..I'm a good loser if need be)

Please include a bona-fide source if possible.Can a domesticated horse survive in the wilderness?
It's like saying any dog "set free" will survive. Not true.

A poodle or a yorkie will not - while a huskey or a pit bull will have a better chance.

Cows will not survive either.

Where they are "set free" will be a factor - Are they facing a winter in Canada or a desert down South?

Two Quarter horses were recently rescued from a mountain in BC Canada...they were abandoned in the fall. The snow came (deep snow up over their withers) and they were stranded without a food or water source.

They would have died.

IF there is a herd of wild horses - and IF you are not setting free a stud or a gelding that will NOT be accepted into the herd - and IF the mare is fit and social enough - then there is a CHANCE she will survive.

A horse that has been blanketed for years will die the first winter because by US putting on the blankets to ensure a "pretty coat" we have altered what is normal .Over time the body will stop listening to nature and will not produce the winter coat necessary for survival without the blanket.

Animals that have been domesticated over hundreds of years and animals that have been "man made" (breeds created by humans) lose the basic survival instincts. For example - a hungry horse will stand by the gate/barn door rather than "go in search" for food and water.

The vast majority will do what they know = learned behavior = the nature of the beast.

One of my horses will not walk between two T bars as she understands there is an electric wire there - even if there is not.

Bottom line - If the conditions are ideal, if the horse is in great shape,young and healthy, and of a sturdy breed chances are good she will survive.

The majority will not.
depends. Most horses are now used to a better diet than they will find in the wild. They also get healthcare, worming, warmth, rugs, shelter and bedding. So your well bred domesticated horse with a fine coat will probably not do well in the wild if it survives at all.



However a native pony which is close to its forebears and grows a nice thick thatch in winter, and whose dietary requirements are modest, has a better chance. Much depends on the climate and the environment. Either way, there's a fair amount of adjusting to do. I wouldn't like to be the equine that tests your theory.



Hope this helpsCan a domesticated horse survive in the wilderness?
a horse will survive and join another horse herd. they will not starve!
I have worked on large cattle stations in the north of Australia where you work and muster cattle on horses for about half ofthe year.

The rest of the year the horses are turned out into a large paddock and left to their own devices until they are needed again.

Yes a horse will survive just nicely if it was in the wild.

Lets remember what they eat, Grass!!

Don't really think they are going to starve in a hurry.
Well, mustangs were originally domestic livestock that escaped from Spaniards/ranches/westward moving settlers. So certainly it's possible for domesticated horses to survive in the wild, but I would say lifespans would be cut much shorter. However, if the horse was very delicate, had chronic hoof problems, required special diet, etc. it would be dead very quickly.
It depends on the horse. A hardy Quarter Horse who lives in a huge pasture with other horses could probably survive pretty well.



A sensitive Warmblood who lives in a stall 90% of the time probably wouldn't do too well.
obviously, it depends on alot of different things, but one thing i wanted to throw out there was that a gelding would be the most likely to not survive. they wouldnt be able to compete with aggressive stallions and therefore would have trouble joining a herd. a stallion would either kill or injure them (possibly causing death later) and so the only way they'd be able to join a herd was if it was a herd of geldings. a solitary horse wouldn't last long.



i know for a fact this happens once in awhile on BLM ground where wild horses run. someone loses their gelding or is an idiot and turns him loose.