More than once I've seen a pregnant mare go to the
bottom of the order, then a year or so later start working her way back up,
although maybe not to the same point. I've seen fillies, who as youngsters
separated from their mothers were at the absolute bottom of the totem
pole, team up to jointly reach a point close to the top. I've seen
lower-down mares that lost their first fights eventually overcome their rivals
by persistence. The worst of it is, I've had several have their hinds hurt in
the process. I really wish there were a way to keep horses in a herd without
that danger. Boxing gloves, maybe.
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karen
Everhart Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 7:35 AM To:
Barbara McCrary; mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Ridecamp Subject: [RC] A
horse worth having
For the "compliant" horse, this is very close to true. For the horse
which challenges a dominant herd mate, this is not true at all.
We manage 35 - 50 horses at any given time on a 240 acre turn-out here at
the rescue. For the most part, things are smooth BUT, there is always the
rare horse who decides it simply must try to move up the food chain. That
horse constantly challenges which ever horse is "above" them and some strong
confrontations occur. I can assure you that should that horse try to challenge
the dominant mare or gelding (and it does happen) then things get as ugly as
they need to for dominance to be re-established.
Karen Everhart MEd Co-founder and Executive Director Rainbow Meadows
Rescue and Retirement, Inc. Serving the equine companions who have so loyally
served us... www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com 620-725-3402
Owner/Operator Horse Calls - Equine Management Solutions Centered
Riding Instructor Distance Horse Conditioning and Training www.horsecalls.com 316-648-5082
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.
:-))
