Everything Horse UK Everything Horse Magazine, August 2018. | Page 23

Natural herd behaviour Natural social behaviour
A natural herd of horses can include as many as 600
animals, although they often split into smaller groups
that graze in close proximity to each other, sharing
resources such as water. A stable social group is a safer social group for horses
- constantly fighting over resources can have physical,
psychological and reproductive costs as well as making
the herd more vulnerable when fleeing predators.
When there is stability and every horse knows his social
place, the herd is far more stable and safe and injuries
are often less because the likelihood of aggressive
interactions is reduced.
In free-ranging herds, the horses naturally group into
two main categories - the natal band (family group)
and the bachelor band (group of males). Though many
people assume that the stallion controls the herd, in
fact, often it is an older mare who assumes the strong,
leader role. Though a stallion may at times direct the
group through herding behaviour, his rank within the
group herd is actually very changeable, particularly
outside of breeding season.
Mares tend to stay with their natal band for long periods
of time and sometimes even their entire lives, whereas
colts tend to branch away from their natal band once
a sibling is born. They will then most likely join a
bachelor band, but the hierarchy of this can become
rather unstable as these frisky colts constantly compete
against each other! It’s not uncommon to find more
than one stallion in a band, as it’s entirely possible for
them to work alongside each other to keep the herd
together, and organise themselves into a hierarchy for
mating.
ISSUE 36 • AUGUST 2018 • EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE
Showing aggressive or appeasing behaviours, alongside
how a horse deals with threatening behaviour from
others, determines their individual social status, and
this place in the herd usually stays constant. A horse’s
age and how long they have been a part of the group
affects their place in the herd, and even factors such
as their height and weight. Often, older mares will step
back to allow fitter, younger mares to progress into
higher positions within the herd.
Stable social behaviour
Whilst horses can naturally show aggressive behaviours
within the herd, these are actually far outweighed by
friendly and cooperative behaviours (with the exception
of colts and stallions as they attempt to secure their
place in the group!) Being part of a herd isn’t always
centered around dominance and appeasement - in
fact, much involves tolerance and even attachment to
others in the group, so much so that it’s common for
horses of all ages to form ‘pair bonds.’ If your horse
is turned out in a group, it’s entirely possible you’ve
watched them mutually groom another horse, which is
a lovely si