Can a bear outrun a horse?

[appyhunter]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Halfpasser11:
I’m assuming that a bear can outrun a horse on a flat track if it came to that. But, can a bear be as nimble and turn on a time like a horse?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Faster actually. Puts a good cutting horse to shame.

Not sure a bear is built well to do dressage, but I would NOT count them down and out on the cross country.

As to moose or bear being faster, the bear better be because moose take to heart the adage that the best defense is a good offense.

Can you all tell I have bears in the neighborhood? Do you know we park near the parks on breaks and see if the tourists and their dogs realize they are walking within a few feet of the bear in the bush? NOBODY will bet the tourista will see the bear anymore. They never do unless the bear moves! Be more fun if this were a sporting proposition…

[Anne_FS]

From www.bear.org (who knew?):

“Running Speed: Bears can run uphill and downhill and on flat ground. Lean bears can run faster than 30 miles per hour. Fat bears in their winter coats overheat and tire quickly when running.”

[buryinghill1]

12,000 Feet… south of Leadville, CO…
I met a bear on the curve of a trail. We were 20 feet away. Probably a 2 year old. My horse “Coffee” stood like a statue (for about a minute). We could smell him (p.u.!). My heart still pounds when I think of that bear. He turned and ran away. So did Coffee. And it was all I could do to stop him. He went through the trees at a full gallop. Ouch.
Knowledgeable neighbors told me later (over a stiff drink) the bear would have had no trouble grabbing a horse. But most had only seen a bear run towards a human (or horse) if a cub was around.
After that I put a cowbell on Coffee and each pack horse.

[Glimmerglass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bigbay:
If a horse’s top speed (granted a fit racehorse) is 45 miles per hour and a bear’s is 30, and a horse is obviously better suited to keep this up over a distance, through trees, etc, where do they get it that the bear can outrun the horse?? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I presume the context of a “race” is such that if a bear has a horse in its sights then the bear can successfully overtake/or catch and conquer the horse.

Bears are very fast in their immediate sprint capabilities, not unlike a cheetah. That’s why they tell you to NEVER ever run from a bear - or go up a tree. Stand your ground. If you flee you will die!

Last summer while in Lenox, MA I had a brown bear run across the road I was driving on and it was by no means a lazy slug.

[Inverness]

But, but, what about camels?! No one has mentioned camels!

Lane 1: broken down pack horse w/200 lb. tourist
Lane 2: peep
Lane 3: horse (Alydar lines)
Lane 4: bear (grizzly)
Lane 5: bear (black w/cub)
Lane 6: moose (Canadian)
Lane 7: camel
Lane 8: hobson

On your mark . . . set . . .:eek:

“The man is only half himself, the other half is his expression.”

– Emerson “The Poet” (1844)

[Inverness]

I hear you Appyhunter. We still have a good number of black bears in the Blue Ridge and while I often smell 'em, I rarely see 'em.

“The man is only half himself, the other half is his expression.”

– Emerson “The Poet” (1844)

[LaurieB]

This thread illustrates everything I love about this bulletin board.

A topic I never even knew I cared about, discussed by people with interesting opinions, new information/trivia to store in the brain, and a few good laughs along the way.

[hobson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Inverness:
Actually, Moose pose a much greater threat. Out in Montana I was surprised to learn that Moose attacks on humans consistently outnumber all other animal attacks combined.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So, could a MOOSE outrun a horse? Assuming fit Moose and motivated horse?

[OnyxThePony]

I don’t think riding abiility much comes into it
If that bear wants you, he’ll get’cha!!
When I was young,t hey used to say to climb a tall tree, to a slim limb, where the bear’s weight would make it impossible for him to folow you. Since moving near to and riding around in the Canadian Rockies, I’ve learned that bears have since learned to bend trees/limbs and bounce ont hem to shake out their prey!
Isn’t that a nice thought. It’s also why hubby and I haven’t gone for a big long mountain hike since last time we came face-to-face with a cute little black bear, and why I trained my rottie pup to recall to hack out with in the mountains!!
When your dog is trained to bark or raise an alarm at potential trouble (eg. bear, cougar), “recall” just means that it WILL come back when you call. This is the only way to not lose dogs to mountain wiildlife, and after a few close encounters, I’ve found it’s essential when hacking out.

dran kittenhard to type with kitten pullingo n hoodie strings
Big Things Ahead!!

[hobson]

And hobson gets immediately DQ-ed for outrageous interference when she cuts off the horse, 2 bears, moose and camel and heads straight for the peep in Lane 2.

But what about the angry bison?

[MoReDQthanU]

what if the bear only has 3 legs? Or the horse has rockets? Or the bear is blind, hits a tree and gets kinda dazed? Who would win then??

TERRI!!!
Guess what guys??? Schools out! Guess what guys, IM SO HAPPY!!!