Why do horses often flee rather than attack when frightened?

Horses are primarily prey animals that have evolved to rely on flight as their chief mode of defense against predators. Their anatomy is specifically adapted for speed, featuring long limbs and a compact body that allow for efficient running.12

This survival strategy is supported by their sensory capabilities:
* Vision: Their eyes are positioned far back on the head, providing a wide field of view that allows them to detect potential threats even while grazing.1
* Instinct: Horses possess a natural, instinctual tendency to flee from danger.3

Because they are built for speed rather than combat, horses rarely attack. They generally only resort to aggression if flight is impossible or if they are provoked by brutal treatment. Throughout history, this combination of "legs for running and eyes for warning" has been the primary mechanism for their survival against predators.31