Skunks are black and white, about the size of a house cat, and have a large, bushy tail. There are two species of skunks found in the U.S., the Striped Skunk and Spotted Skunk. Both species produce a pungent,oily, sulfurous liquid from scent glands under the tail, which can be accurately sprayed up to 10 feet when the skunk is threatened or surprised. Skunks are far more active at night. Most episodes of spraying of domestic animals therefore occur at night.

Horses can sometimes be sprayed by skunks. This usually happens when a horse approaches a skunk out of curiosity. The skunk feels threatened or surprised and defends itself by spraying the horse. Skunk spray initially can burn the eyes, causing a horse to vigorously rub its face and eyes on its front limbs or fences and walls.

Skunks are a common carrier of rabies, leptospirosis and other diseases. Healthy skunks generally avoid humans and are nocturnal. A skunk that is out and about during the day, and/or seems overly tame or aggressive might have the viral disease rabies and should be avoided, or destroyed and removed carefully wearing gloves.