Historical Watch Dogs .. Horses and Donkeys!

The following books report life saving reactions based on the eyes and ears and the "perk up" of horses, mules and donkeys to the presents of Indian Attack .. Charles Goodnight cattle drives into New Mexico .. Broken Hand - Hafen Mountain Men .. My Life on the Plains - Custer; Black Range Tales - McKenna; Tales from the Bloated Goat - Hoover; No Life for a Lady - Morley; Pioneer Women - Stratton, A thousand miles of Mustanging - Green.

When working or feeding .. anytime you are out .. pay attention to the "gaze" of any of your animals .. they can see, hear and smell  much better than humans.

Observing your land and animals during every season is a great way to gain knowledge. When I'm in the garden and it starts to sprinkle rain I watch our alpacas & llamas. If they head for the trees I know the downpour is coming. If not I keep at it.  The dogs will notify me of visitors arriving 3-5 minutes before they drive up...The crows, ravens, and squirrels let you know that something is happening in the forest; usually a predator passing through. The occasional heavy wind is 100% indication that a weather change will happen that day if not within the hour (we live in a mtn. valley)! The diurnal temperature range is usually no more than 20 deg C where we live. Knowing this allows us to make all kinds of plans...

I recently heard of a 'watch horse' that saw off a sea eagle after it attacked a lamb locally. Unfortunately it was too late for the lamb, but I was pretty amazed that a horse would do this. Mind you I know nothing much about horses or eagles! It seems interesting that it had the instinct to try and protect a animal that wasn't related to it. I guess it must have adopted the farmer's sheep and cattle as it's own herd. I'm not sure if they have other horses.