What does this herd behaviour mean?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

What does this herd behaviour mean?

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Interesting! I am assuming by the name Rascal, that he is a gelding as well? I know some geldings can become possessive over mares within the herd, so I would assume that they could also become possessive over their buddies as well. Five horses seems to be the right number for them to form two buddy pairs and a lead horse within the group. While all the horses get along, there is still a ranking system and Donnie may be second last to have a say within the herd, his buddy that he is possessive over may be dead last. It is hard to say without seeing how the group interacts, but it could just be a case of this horse will take orders from Donnie and Donnie doesn't want the other horses to take this away from him.

Is Donnie really running the other horses off when they come near or his he just being a bit pushy by coming between Rascal and the other horses? Does he create a stink when Rascal is taken out of the field? It sounds like perhaps he has found a friend and just doesn't want to share

-- Edited by Nikki Salo on Sunday 17th of October 2010 12:01:01 PM

sally forth · Yearling

Nikki - I think you are bang on. Technically he is "resource guarding" in a mild way. IOW making it clear in a very benign way to the other horses that Rascal is "his". I think it is sweet, but it could possible get scrappy if another horse takes a real liking to Rascal or vice versa (Rascal gets a new interest). Donnie could also start really resenting leaving his buddy for rides or to come into the barn for grooming or vet care. I'd separate them occasionally (with lots of good things happening while separate) to encourage more independence from one another.

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Thanks for the feedback. I think it's fascinating to think that Donnie might be preserving his role as second last, rather than last!

Donnie doesn't lunge at the other horses or anything like that. Rather, he positions himself between the other horses and Rascal and pins his ears.

They hang out in harmony, but just in two distinct groups. The three young horses together and Donnie and Rascal together.

Rascal was always the lowest on the totem poll, and in fact a bit of an outcast in the main herd of seven, so he never really had a friend until Donnie came along.

Donnie is new and he spent the first few months alone with Rascal before being joined by the youngest and least challenging horses in the herd. The two alpha-type mares are now on their own and quite happy.

We took Donnie into the arena the other day to ride him and the other horses were SCREAMING for him and he was screaming back, but he is such a good boy, he just settled in and went along perfectly.

spirithorse · Advanced

Humans form cliques, and so do horses.

cjroyg · Well Schooled

He is protecting the other horse. I would watch out do. My horse was the same with mares. He got super protective and one day I went to say hello to my friends mare in his field and when I went to get him to bring him in so I could brush him he ran away and buck me in the face intentionally.
Do not worry I was fine just a big bruise on the lip and we got him out of there and train him a lot more. I was very lucky he miss me and only got one of his hoof in my face and it was not shoed.

Horse-hearted · Advanced

Maybe he only feels safe with his buddy Rascal, like a real-live security blanket.