Yeah, that's definitely something to be concerned about. I (unfortunately) have to board my horse. But the ranch he is at is an old cattle ranch. There are still many cattle in the hills of this 1000 acre or so place. Deep in the center of it is the barn and some paddocks where we board. Living outside of San Jose ...this is like going back into time. A few weeks ago we sat out there chatting with other boarders and suddenly the dogs starting barking and then howling. They were joining in the 'song' of the coyotes. When we finally quieted the dogs, we could hear the pups yipping and carrying on greeting the pack ....it must have been dinner time.
I've been at this ranch for 3-4 years and have only seen one coyote and he was alone and casually walking across one of the higher hills. I feel Faxi is safe simply due to the layout of the ranch. Many of the babies are kept near him. Although several months ago one of the mares decided to deliver early and was still out in pasture. One of the cowhands who lives on the property called the barn manager as he was hearing allot of coyote activity - yipping and howling etc. Lennie (barn mgr.) went up to discover the early foal and quickly moved them down by Faxi. There was a comment made that perhaps the coyotes were drawn by the smell of the placenta. I'm sure you will work it out....like you said, it's always something. Bernadette
