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WHY HORSES LIVE IN GROUPS (ADVANTAGES TO LIVING IN A HERD (Reproduction -…
WHY HORSES LIVE IN GROUPS
Horses are prey animals with few anti-predator defences
Can kick
- but cannot see where to aim
Can bite
- but due to being a herbivore cannot tear through a predators skin
Best defence is to escape
- but this requires the horse to be alert
Horse spends
16-18 hours
a day eating; so cannot always be alert
ADVANTAGES TO LIVING IN A HERD
Reproduction
- If the group includes a stallion, mares do not need to travel in search of one.
Pair Bonding
- Opportunity to form a strong friendship that will last a lifetime. Free ranging horses may mutually select a partner who typically is similar in age, sex and size and remain friends for life. Primarily for
safety
and
social interaction
.
Play
- Being in a herd allows social play, especially between foals born into the herd.
Mutual Grooming
- Social activity that both maintains coat condition and helps bonding with other horses.
Mutual Insect Control
- Horses stand closely head-to-tail while swishing to remove insects from the other.
WHO IS IN THE GROUP
No "typical" herd
- No fixed rules on how groups are arrange; vary in size, composition and behaviours.
Common group composition includes...
Dominant Stallion
Possibly an Additional Stallion (mating less than dominant stallion)
4 - 5 Mares
All Foals
All Yearlings
1-2 Two-year-olds
Stallions
Bachelor Groups
Young colts driven out by stallion
Older stallions who have lost to stronger/younger studs
Some old stallions will wander alone as find it difficult to tolerate other males
Behaviour dependent on habitat
Marshy areas; horses will temporarily merge into larger groups when loafing for additional fly protection