Mommy Makes The Decisions

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Created on Monday, 13 May 2013 12:54

When it comes to the horse world, size is not usually a measure of the biggest bully out there. The smallest pony of a herd can be the lead mare, and the largest mare may be the outcast that is picked on constantly (usually by the ornery pony!). 

Like each ideal family has a mother (who actually runs things), a father (who thinks he runs things) and the mischievous children, horse herds also have a pecking order (the order of access to food!)

A lead mare is the actual leader of the herd. She is usually an older horse/ pony with a stubborn streak that makes decisions to maintain discipline and harmony amongst her herd. Like high school, the horses that are closest to the lead mare are the “IN crowd”, the “popular click” and are usually higher in the pecking order than other members of the herd. 

The stallion of course displays his dominance once in a while, but that is only if another stallion tries to impinge on his territory by trying to steal one of his girls, or a real threat tries to hurt the herd. 

 If you are very very interested in horse behavior, you would notice a few outcasts around each herd – which are usually bachelor groups (old stallions and new youngsters nursing their wounds from lost battles with the current stallion). Members of the bachelor groups will challenge the main stallion on occasion trying to get leadership of the herd. 

All in all, horses are usually very happy with their spot in the pecking order and don’t get round to have a face-off with their contender on a daily basis. Only when they feel they do have a chance!