# Big cat versus horse

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-cat-versus-horse/750100>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 25, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-cat-versus-horse/750100 "2016-03-25T04:08:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-cat-versus-horse/750100/1 "2016-03-25T04:08:40Z")

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What is the smallest big cat that could reliably take down a horse? Assume a medium size horse, not a Clydesdale or one of those tiny ones. The kitty can be as hungry and motivated as need be. Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-cat-versus-horse/750100/2 "2016-03-25T04:13:16Z")

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Leopard?

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**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-cat-versus-horse/750100/3 "2016-03-25T04:20:39Z")

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Although the cougar does not usually prey on horses, they have been known to ambush and kill horses on occasion. A healthy cougar won’t normally go up against a horse, but if one is starving and desperate enough, it’ll make the attempt.