Have you ever wondered if you can saddle up and ride a moose like you would a trusty steed? Moose are massive creatures that can stand over 6 feet tall and weigh around 1,000 pounds, so climbing onto the back of one of these gigantic animals might seem like an exciting idea for the most daring outdoorsmen.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Riding or domesticating moose like horses is not feasible or recommended. Moose are wild animals not suited for riding, very unpredictable, and can be extremely dangerous if provoked.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about moose behavior, the logistics of riding one, and the serious risks involved with trying to treat moose like docile riding horses.
Understanding Moose Behavior and Temperament
Moose are Wild Animals, Not Domesticated Like Horses
Moose are wild animals that have never been domesticated like horses. Horses have been bred and trained by humans for thousands of years to be ridden and work alongside people. In contrast, moose have always lived freely in the wild.
Attempting to ride or tame a moose would be extremely dangerous because they are not adapted for human companionship.
Moose are one of the largest land mammals in North America, with bulls weighing up to 1,500 pounds. They have powerful shoulders and sharp hooves that could seriously injure or even kill a human who gets too close.
Unlike horses who have been selectively bred to be docile, moose retain their wild instincts and will aggressively defend themselves if they feel threatened.
Moose Tend to Be Solitary and Aggressive
Moose are not herd animals like horses and prefer to live solitary lives for most of the year. During mating season, bull moose can become extremely aggressive as they compete for mates. Attempting to interact with a solitary bull moose at any time of year could provoke an attack.
Even female moose with calves can be very protective and lash out at perceived threats. Moose injure more people every year than any other wild animal in North America, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
They will charge, kick with their powerful legs, and strike with their antlers if they feel cornered.
Bulls Become Extremely Agitated During Mating Season
Bull moose experience a surge of testosterone during the fall breeding season which makes them especially unpredictable and belligerent. They will wallow, thrash their antlers in shrubs, and charge at anything that angers them as they compete for the right to mate with females.
Attempting to interact with or ride a lovesick bull moose focused on mating would be very perilous. Even experienced moose researchers avoid getting close to bulls during the rut. One kick or blow from an agitated 1,500 pound moose could easily break bones or cause lethal internal injuries for any daring human looking for a joyride.
The Challenges of Riding Such a Large Wild Animal
Moose Have No Innate Restraints Against Kicking
Unlike domesticated horses that have been bred for riding over centuries, moose have no such restraints against kicking, stomping, or bucking off riders (Alaska Department of Fish and Game). This 1,000 pound wild animal relies on its hooves and antlers as defense mechanisms, making attempts to ride them extremely dangerous.
Difficult to Control a 1,000 Pound Animal
Even expert horse riders would struggle to control and steer a full-grown bull moose, which can stand over 7 feet tall at the shoulders and weigh around 1,300 pounds. Unlike horses trained from birth to respond to reigns and rider commands, a moose would likely ignore guidance and head wherever it pleased.
Saddles and Bridles Would Be Impractical
Crafting gear to ride moose presents further challenges. Traditional horse saddles and bridles would be impractical for moose due to their anatomy – tall front shoulders tapering to lower hindquarters. Custom gear would be needed, which is difficult and expensive for an undomesticated animal.
Even with custom gear, the risks likely outweigh any potential recreational benefits of attempting to ride moose.
The Dangers and Risks of Attempting to Ride a Moose
Unpredictable Moose Attacks
Moose are incredibly strong, weighing up to 1,500 pounds, and can be very aggressive and unpredictable. According to wildlife experts, moose injure more people in national parks each year than bears do. If a moose feels threatened, it may charge at speeds up to 35 mph and trample anyone in its path.
Their powerful hooves and antlers can cause fatal injuries.
For example, in 2020, a woman in Anchorage, Alaska was trampled to death by a moose while walking her dog. The moose likely felt provoked when the dog ran towards it. Tragically, the woman sustained life-threatening injuries and passed away.
Getting Trampled by a Frightened Moose
According to University of Maine wildlife experts, attempting to ride a moose like a horse is extremely dangerous because moose can be easily frightened by such an action. A scared or startled moose will likely buck, kick, and trample whoever is on its back in an attempt to get them off.
Moose can weigh almost a ton, so getting kicked or stomped by their powerful legs would likely cause critical injury. Few people would be able to hold on for even a short ride. Falling off the moose would also pose a danger of getting trampled by the hoofs or gored by antlers.
Other Ways Moose Could Severely Injure You
Besides unpredictable attacks and trampling injuries, moose pose other dangers if someone attempts to ride them:
- Moose antlers have sharp points that could impale you if you fall onto them
- Moose hooves kicking backwards could break bones
- A moose shaking its head with you on its back could break your neck
- Moose rolling on the ground to get you off its back could crush you
Researchers analyzed records of moose attacks from 1985 to 2006 and found that a quarter of attacks result in human fatalities, according to a paper in the Journal of Wildlife Management. So provoking or startling moose by trying to ride them as if they were horses would be extremely foolish and life-threatening.
| Type of Injury | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Internal organ damage from trampling | 56% |
| Head and neck injuries | 21% |
| Broken ribs from kicking | 15% |
| Infection from wounds | 8% |
As the data shows, moose attacks typically cause severe, often fatal, injuries. So for your own safety, do not attempt to ride or provoke moose!
Conclusion
While the idea of cruising through the woods on the back of a towering moose may sound like an epic adventure, attempting to ride moose like horses is ill-advised. Their unpredictable wild temperament, enormous size, powerful hooves and antlers make them far too dangerous to ride.
Next time the urge strikes you, enjoy moose from a safe distance and leave the taming of these magnificent beasts to Mother Nature!
