more mountain lions!

**clones_jer** · 12-30-2009, 09:22 PM

KFKA (I think, Fox in Cedar Rapids) just had a teaser about a mountain lion attack on some horses in Iowa.

Commence discussion.

**herbicide** · 12-30-2009, 09:36 PM

I don't know if I would take that at its word. Horses are awful big for a mountain lion to attack. Especially full grown ones. Even foals by this time of year should be too big for them.

Edit: Wiki does list horses and even cattle as typical prey.

**clones_jer** · 12-30-2009, 09:40 PM

sounds like it was just across the border from Clinton IA in Illinios. Two seperate incidents, the 1 horse they showed was full grown and had a heavily bandaged back leg.

I'm guessing a foal or pony wouldn't be out of question, expecially if they are somewhat snow bound. Not sure about that full sized horse.

**tman24** · 12-30-2009, 09:41 PM

I would think horses and cattle would be towards the last thing they go after.

**Clone1450** · 12-30-2009, 09:49 PM

According to several of the guys I hunt deer with in Southern IA, there are definitely mountain lions around. These are guys that spend tons of time in the timber and they would know if anyone would. several had seen them and some have only seen signs (tracks, prey, etc).

**SlyCy** · 12-30-2009, 09:52 PM

Hard to believe a lion would go after a horse with all the deer around. Is this an assumption it was a lion or was there proof?

**madcityCY** · 12-30-2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Clone1450

According to several of the guys I hunt deer with in Southern IA, there are definitely mountain lions around. These are guys that spend tons of time in the timber and they would know if anyone would. several had seen them and some have only seen signs (tracks, prey, etc).

A few have showed up on game cameras in the area I hunt in Western Wisconsin. I know of other sitings on both sides of the Mississippi near Prairie Du Chien. Now this one near Clinton... seem to be sticking to the River corridor, which of course has plenty of habitat (wooded hills/ valleys).

Livestock like horses and cattle, while large, are many times easier prey than deer, since they are usually fenced in.

**herbicide** · 12-30-2009, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by madcityCY

Livestock like horses and cattle, while large, are many times easier prey than deer, since they are usually fenced in.

I know wolves figure that out, but I haven't heard much of cougars doing it.

The thing about horses and cattle is they are big and strong enough to repel attacks and even kill the cougars, by rearing/kicking them.

**madcityCY** · 12-30-2009, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by herbicide

I know wolves figure that out, but I haven't heard much of cougars doing it.

The thing about horses and cattle is they are big and strong enough to repel attacks and even kill the cougars, by rearing/kicking them.

it would be rare for a horse to kill a cougar by kicking it. It would have to be a one-in-a million shot. (Having been kicked multiple times myself, and watching my dog get kicked multiple times)

**clones_jer** · 12-30-2009, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by madcityCY

it would be rare for a horse to kill a cougar by kicking it. It would have to be a one-in-a million shot. (Having been kicked multiple times myself, and watching my dog get kicked multiple times)

you're going after the wrong end, try to stand more on the head side.

**herbicide** · 12-30-2009, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by madcityCY

it would be rare for a horse to kill a cougar by kicking it. It would have to be a one-in-a million shot. (Having been kicked multiple times myself, and watching my dog get kicked multiple times)

Are you or your dog trying to attack the horse when it kicks you? I know they kick in defense, but you and your dog shouldn't have the horse fearing for its life. Think "bucking bronco" style panic. Also, when ou say multiple times I am assuming you don't mean multiple times in one setting, as in what a cougar could get while trying to attack.

Even if they don't kill a cougar, one swift kick will likely scare the cougar off.

Never mind if the cougar gets in front and the horse rears up and tramples it. In the old cavalry/war horse days this method was used to attack people.

Long story short I'd venture horses (and cattle) are a lot more risky for a cougar than deer.

**Cyforce** · 12-30-2009, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by herbicide

Are you or your dog trying to attack the horse when it kicks you? I know they kick in defense, but you and your dog shouldn't have the horse fearing for its life. Think "bucking bronco" style panic. Also, when ou say multiple times I am assuming you don't mean multiple times in one setting, as in what a cougar could get while trying to attack.

Even if they don't kill a cougar, one swift kick will likely scare the cougar off.

Never mind if the cougar gets in front and the horse rears up and tramples it. In the old cavalry/war horse days this method was used to attack people.

Long story short I'd venture horses (and cattle) are a lot more risky for a cougar than deer.

I new a guy from Bondurant that lost one of his family jewels from a horse kick.
Guess I never bothered to ask if the assault was offensive or defensive in nature.
I will add that he did go by 2 first names. Come to think of it his last name was a first name too.

**bringmagicback** · 12-30-2009, 11:26 PM

Mountain lions attacked some horses in SW Iowa couple years ago. They are easy targets as they dont really run into predators around Iowa. They often attack horses/mules out west in hunting camps ect.

**clones_jer** · 12-31-2009, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Cyforce

I new a guy from Bondurant that lost one of his family jewels from a horse kick.

you know that quesey feeling you get when they just get grazed? This seems unfathomably worse.

**MBulldog** · 12-31-2009, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by herbicide

Are you or your dog trying to attack the horse when it kicks you? I know they kick in defense, but you and your dog shouldn't have the horse fearing for its life. Think "bucking bronco" style panic. Also, when ou say multiple times I am assuming you don't mean multiple times in one setting, as in what a cougar could get while trying to attack.

Even if they don't kill a cougar, one swift kick will likely scare the cougar off.

Never mind if the cougar gets in front and the horse rears up and tramples it. In the old cavalry/war horse days this method was used to attack people.

Long story short I'd venture horses (and cattle) are a lot more risky for a cougar than deer.

This post is a lot funnier if you picture this guy saying it: