Big and little pests

[mythkat]

Hi all,

I am planning to build a new raised bed, fill it with strawbales, plant my tomatoes in those and by next year the bales will have composted in the beds along with the chicken bedding i'll add in the fall. This bed will be outside the current fence. The master gardner at our local nursery said rabbits and horses don't bother tomatoes. Is this true or should I wait until I can install electric fencing to keep the mustangs and jackrabbits out?

Thanks.