Changing Herd Dynamics
As a horse owner you know if your horse is the boss or at the bottom of the pecking order when he interacts with a herd. But keep in mind that herd dynamics and therefore your horses place in the herd can change. Just because he was the leader in one situation doesnt mean hell act the same within all herds at all locations. If you find your horse acting differently at a new barn his past and present herd interactions may be the key to understanding his behavior.
Here well talk to equine behavior experts to find out how and why horses change ranks with changing herd dynamicsand how those changes may impact overall wellbeing and behavior. Your horses position in the herd may affect his overall disposition and interactions with you. Well also provide tips to help your horse transition to new settings.
We traditionally thought that social hierarchies were linear says Suzanne Millman Ph D. who teaches animal welfare and behavior courses at Iowa State University. We thought there was an alpha down to an omega. We now know that its more complex than that. In a larger group of horses a singular horse may be really attached to one horse more than another. If a pony was attached to a lead mare the ponys rank may be higher than if he
were on his own.
Even though a horse may have been subordinate in the groups he was in at his old barn it may be that in a new barn he acts like top dog and bullies the other horses Millman says. The context matters. Its not always predictable.
What factors may influence behavior and herd
dynamics at a new locale? Millman says the size of the herd can make a difference. While its important for horses to have companionship of other horses having only one or two herdmates limits the horses ability to choose his own social groups.
