Natural equine behaviour

Wild / Feral? Wild: Occurring or living in a natural state; not domesticated or tamed. Feral: a. Existing in a wild or untamed state. b. Having returned to an untamed state from domestication.

How do we know how horses behave in the wild? No such thing as a wild horse any longer. The Przewalski horse has been domesticated since 1950’s when retrieved from the wild before extinction. (Przewalski overview: ) Closest approximation to wild horse behaviour is seen in feral horses that are free ranging. Feral / semi-feral herds include Brumbies, Mustangs, New Forest and Welsh ponies.

Feral Welsh ponies A number of populations in Wales. Societies exist to defend the populations: –The Cymdeithas Merlod y Carneddau – covering the Carneddau ponies of Northern Snowdonia. –The Hill Pony Improvement Society of Wales covering the 26 individual pony Improvement Societies covering 23 hills and commons in South and Mid Wales. Welsh Assembly Government made special arrangements for passport and micro-chipping these populations.

Feral Welsh ponies continued Benefits: –part of the landscape, culture and heritage of Wales; –provide conservation benefits, helping to maintain the ecology and environment in which they live; –Hardiness is maintained by existing in the natural environment. See the link to an article on Moodle.

How do feral horses spend their time? Watch the video clip. Observe all the different types of behaviour. Write your example on the board.

How do feral horses spend their time? Time budget: Average throughout the year of how Camargue horses spend their time

Why is wild horse behaviour important to us? Survival instincts are still present today in the domestic horse. We need to understand these instincts, so that we can work with them.

What is an instinct? Innate reactions and inclinations that animals are born with. The horse’s ancestors had to survive as a prey animal on the plains. Survival depended on: –keen sensory systems to detect danger signals –effective defence mechanism to provide protection.

What are the main features of natural equine behaviour / lifestyles? All horse behaviour is inspired by 4 overwhelming needs: To eat & drink. To stay alive. To reproduce. To socialise with his own kind. Explain how and why the feral horse meets these needs through their behaviour / lifestyle.

Living in small herds. –Larger numbers makes good sense in terms of survival from predators. –Allows ideal opportunities for reproduction. –Less danger = more time for eating.

Moving around, covering several miles each day in search of food & water. –A free-ranging horse will graze for a min. of hours / day. –Selects a range of low-quality herbage (leaves, plant, herbs & grasses). –Trickle feeding of varied, low-grade fibrous forage. –Ability to select what the body needs. (Przewalski – grazing ) (Przewalski – winter )

The flight mechanism. –In open grassland speed is the best form of defence against predators. –When a horse is alerted to danger, the hormones adrenalin & noradrenalin are release in response. This prepares the body for flight. –The horse is more comfortable in open spaces as there are then plenty of escape routes.

Defence through fighting can sometimes be necessary: –Kicking with the hind feet. –Striking out with the forefeet. –Biting. –Squashing a predator against a tree / scraping it off under a branch. –Bucking & rearing. ( Przewlaski stallion defending: ferus-przewalskii/video-11.html ) ferus-przewalskii/video-11.html

Reproductive behaviour, e.g. the in-season mare. -Reproduction is the reason for living for all animals. -In the wild state, the reproductive pattern is: intense, prolonged courtship & stimulation, followed by a brief mating, which is repeated several times over 4-5 days. -Most mares will reproduce every year, depending on the nutritional status.

The structure of the herd What is the basic structure of a herd of wild horses? Usually about 4-8 members, but can range from An average herd would include: –1 mature stallion –His harem of mares –Their offspring up to the ages of ~2 years.

The stallion: –Keeps the herd together from the back whenever the herd moves on or danger threatens (sheepdog). –Rarely demonstrates aggressive behaviour to his own herd. –Defends his herd against challenging stallions. Fights occur between the herd and the challenging stallion. (Przewalski stallion herding behaviour: przewalskii/video-03.htmlhttp:// przewalskii/video-03.html )

The boss mare: –Every herd has an alpha mare / matriarch. –She makes all the decisions & frequently initiates the movement of the group and acts as pathfinder. –Often acts as law enforcer. Other mares: –Mares with foals at foot / barren mares. –Strong family bonds whilst offspring still in the herd. –Fiercely protective of their young.

Young females: –May stay with group for a year or more after gradual, natural weaning. –Father will not usually mate them, so they are not discouraged from wandering off to join a group of bachelor males / another stallion. Young males: –Pose a threat to their sire as they mature & get stronger. –From ~18 months colts are driven away from the herd & set up bachelor groups. –May challenge an older stallion for his harem or push away his bachelor companions & claim any young fillies that have joined them as his own.

Social hierarchies The framework of the social structure in horse herds tends to rely on friendships and family groups. Defined social hierarchies encourage stability and decrease injuries. Dominance hierarchies or pecking orders are most likely to be seen where a resource is scarce, e.g. availability of / access to water. Ranking is complex. Ranking is influenced by factors such as maternal status, age and length of residence.