Herd Hierarchy

Doc-t February 23, 2015
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Horses live, like most animals, in groups led by one horse, structuring the rest of the horses into a gradient of order from most dominant to least. The horse’s personality may play a role, especially in a panic situation.

Human interactions with one or more horses are included in this structure. The result is always the human (horse owner/trainer/professional) being placed by the horse either above, equal to, or below the horse’s self-determined dominance.

When there is no pressure, the separation is blurred, and all seem to get along. But when pressure is applied (for example, spooking to a sudden noise or action), the leader will rise. Then, the energy of the individuals proves to be the motivator, with the one having the lowest energy affecting all others. This is why most effective leaders “keep their cool.”

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Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos. This horse has non-painful masses in front of the shoulder blade associated with the horses biting and holding onto the flesh of this horse. In more aggressive horses, this damage can be more severe leading to a hole from one side of the neck to the other.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos. This horse has non-painful masses in front of the shoulder blade associated with the horses biting and holding onto the flesh of this horse. In more aggressive horses, this damage can be more severe leading to a hole from one side of the neck to the other.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos. This horse has non-painful masses in front of the shoulder blade associated with the horses biting and holding onto the flesh of this horse. In more aggressive horses, this damage can be more severe leading to a hole from one side of the neck to the other.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos. This horse has non-painful masses in front of the shoulder blade associated with the horses biting and holding onto the flesh of this horse. In more aggressive horses, this damage can be more severe leading to a hole from one side of the neck to the other.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Assertion by some male horses can cause damage to the shoulder areas of the less dominant horse as seen in these photos.
Which horse is the leader? This image clearly shows the different personalities of these horses and the clear hirearchy of this herd.
Herd hierarchy
Herd hierarchy
Herd hierarchy
Herd hierarchy
Categories: Behavior

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