JACKSON, Wyo. — Bison didn’t seem to mind a passing horse herd while they grazed in front of the Tetons on Thursday, Aug. 22.
While the horses showed no signs of fear, they chose to remain a healthy distance during their afternoon jaunt. The horses could be allowing for ample space since August is the peak of mating season for bison. Referred to as the bison rut, males in pursuit of females can get more aggressive during this time of the year, according to Grand Teton National Park. Rut lasts from mid-July through September. During rut, bulls will mate with multiple females, but female bison cows will mate with only one bull.
While horses must instinctively know to remain far from easily agitated bulls, they inadvertently can take advantage of the healthier grasses that bison herds produce. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, bison foraging freely encourages greener and more nutritious grasses. When bison herds graze they fertilize the ground with their urine and dung deposition, stimulating near-continual plant growth.
Therefore, bison could even be considered good grazing neighbors.
