Interesting talk of Alpha horses. I have five mares. Three of which were Alpha mares in there other herds prior to us buying them. When we moved to Auburn and had acreage so our horses could be out more were not sure who would be boss. My big mare became boss which was a total surprise. Out of our five mares four are dominant. I don't work outside the home and so I have been lucky to be able to observe our ladies daily. I learned a lot watching them. Anyway, my mare is dominant Alpha. But not a real mean one. She keeps them away nicely while I place their hay (nice for me) then lets them line up. They are free to move around freelly, drink at various times, and all take turns standing guard while someone is sleeping. Sometimes three at a time lay down while two stand. When we introduced the youngest member who was the grandaughter of the second in line it was interesting. My mare would not accept her for a few weeks. She'd chase her everywhere. Weeks later we found out why. She was a dominate little filly-and is today! We saw this come together one day a few weeks later when she did accept her. My mare went into her heat cycle in spring. She decided that Rosie, the filly, was all of the sudden the cutest thing. She mothered her, groomed her, etc. They were inseperable for hours. Then! It happened! Rosie out of the blue, turned and kicked my mare (alpha remember) right in the chest and ran off and stood behind her grandma mare! My horse had two expressions on her face in two seconds...one was "she was flabergasted!", and then "ears flat back, "how DARE you!". Rosie just faced her and then they walked toward each other. I though it was over...NOT! Rosie turned and kicked my mare again! That was it! My mare chased her back and forth several times not letting her past her even once. The other ladies just stopped and watched. Grandma mare said "you really did it this time babe!".. Well, then my horse jumped up, and faced Rosie square, front and center! Rosie was not allowed to move with the others for hours. She was isolated. Later she was allowed in and that was it! Been solved ever since and there is complete harmony in the herd. Oh, Rosie was only a yearling when this took place! Somehow, my mare knew right off in the beginning she was of a dominant personality and wanted to make sure she'd behave in the group. I thought it was really something to watch! Something else interesting in my herd of mares. We had a shetland stallion break thru our property one night. We had just gotten back from dinner out. Anyway, the mares were very upset as he was running along the fenceline screaming and loose! At that time, my mare had the smaller ones and the baby in the middle of the pasture standing. The 3rd in line mare was at the fence defending the herd and snapping at the shetland stallion. And, she meant business. This mare is a QH mare 23 years old. Was very dominate in her herd. I called my neighbor and we got his stallion back over there. He thought it was funny. I thought he was a jerk! Anyway, I thought it was interesting that the 3rd in line was the defender in that situation and mine had the herd calm and in the middle. I know they communicate. The others basically did what was told. Very interesting. The other funny thing I observed is that I think the second in line is really the smart dominant one. I'd watch her look at a pile of food, look at my mare, my mare would shoo away whoever was eating at that pile and then #2 would walk over and take it! "Hey boss, I want "THAT" pile right there!" "Okay! Got it for ya,,,go eat!" Anything Dolly wants Dolly gets! She actually manipulates the boss! Anyway, Alpha mare Spirit uses only her ears and her walk to boss them. If they don't listen she grinds her teeth at them. Last resort is a biteon the butt! I've never seen her kick one of them ever. I've seen #2 kick towards #2 and #3 pick on #5. Poor #5. She is so submissive. She was alone when I got her. She had to learn the herd language. She doesn't mind being last though she is an easy keeper luckily. And #1 does like her. Even grooms her to make her feel better. Sometimes she'll spend half a day with her. Just them. Anyway, enough yacking. Just wanted to share my observations. Horses are amazing creatures and I've learned much from them. I even learned to be a better parent. Setting boundaries, being consistent, unconditional love. That's what I've learned. I feel very lucky. One last thing to share, I remember in the video Black Beauty. The head groom told his nephew(?) good treatment makes good horses, bad treatment ruins them. Then the story line supported that. We have never been harsh to our mares but they do know and accept correction when they've done something wrong. And they have been very loyal to us in return. We've all fallen off and never lost a horse. My daughter flew off her horse the other day in the middle of a double jump! My neighbors riding lawn mower blew up BANG! Totally startled her, the horse did a spread eagle, my daughter flew like superman (superkid?) and landed outside the arena. When she got up she saw Dolly sniffing the ground and looking around for her! As she made it to the edge of the arena (we have a 2-3 foot dropoff) my daughter poked her head up. The horse stood stock still waiting for her even though my daughter said Dollys heart was really pounding! What a sweet mare! Never even thought of running off, but instead, was searching for her rider! Well, mine are calling me to come feed them lunch! Happy riding all and happy thanksgiving to all...Horses and other critters of course included! kathie
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