Re: [RC] competitive vs herd bound - Katrina Mosshammer
I won't say whether its herd bound or
competitiveness but my mare will do this too
sometimes. She wants to go but she wants her posse to come along too. I'm
curious, Rhonda, is your mare alpha in her herd?
On several occasions during rides she will be going
good, like a heat-seeking missile, only to realize her buddy isn't right behind
her anymore and slam on the breaks until they catch up and then be pulling
to go again. She's very aware of her buddies and want to know where they are at
all times. I've seen the "should I stay or should I go" look on her face many
times. Usually the herd instinct wins.
Perle is definitely alpha at home. We took her with
us a few weeks ago when we took the geldings out and ponied her along. I started
with her on Deke but she and he don't really get along so mom took her with
her gelding, Goblin. She LOVES Goblin. He can get away with just about anything
and she doesn't mind, but not anybody else. After a few miles mom turned around
to go back and I was going to go on with Deke and do a few more miles. Mom said
as soon as we were out of sight she screamed for him the whole way back. Mom
just kept saying "you don't even like him silly mare". She just wants to know
where her boys are at all times.
OK. That's interesting. I haven't had experience with
this combination. Shadow might have been getting to that point, but he
started life out as a confirmed follower.
On Sep 15, 2009, at 9:40 AM, RHONDA LEVINSON wrote:
I
disagree. I have a mare who is both competitive and herd bound.
She wants to catch AND PASS other horses, but once in front, she'll keep
checking to be sure the other horse is back there. It's not enough to
simply catch the horse and hang out with him or her; she wants to be in
front. If that horse falls back, however, she'll be reluctant to move
out. She'll do it if firmly instructed to do so, but she'd rather that
other horse come along.
