I do not completely agree with this assessment.
I've seen an established horse determine the pecking order with nothing but a
sneer and an ear-pinning. No kicks, no bites, no pain. Just body
English. The subservient horse learns very quickly and accepts that
ear-pinning as "I'm the top horse around here and don't try to change
this." It seems to establish a calm society as long as every horse
stays in his place. No one said horse society was a democracy.
:-))
