Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

Re: [RC] [RC] personality change as mares gain status in the herd........? - Laurie Durgin

Interesting. I have 1 mare and 3 geldings. She is the 'sentinel" I noticed this behavior as I used to raise geese, they always have one or two with heads up while others grazed. The 3 geldings will munch away, while she checks out who or what is in pasture, and any unusual noise. Occasionally my 2 yr old will join her. And boy is she 'spooky ' at dusk, if I feed. She is always watching the fenceline (the one the potbellied pig used to visit through). . .
Buuut, She can get Champs bucket away from him if she gets let out early, but Rascal can chase her off any time (they were raised together), , but Champ can chase Rascal off.And the 2 year old tries to see what he can get away from. I used to have Scouts mom, and she was bottom of the rung, but she acted senteniel too.



From: "Karen Sullivan" <greymare56@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [RC] personality change as mares gain status in the herd........?
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 13:20:05 -0800

Another question.

I have had two mares in the last several years that were extremely laid back, solid, non spooky and reliable trail horses. One was Anglo Arab, and one is the current Arab Morgan. Both were second under alpha mares, until my endurance mare was retired. When that mare left, the Anglo became herd boss. She definatly changed from a ploddy rent-type horse into a much more alert, competitve horse on the trail. It was very nice to have the added energy with her!

Now the Arab Morgan is alpha mare. SHE has gone from very calm trail horse to much, much more alert and a bit spooky on the trail. She is fine on familiar trails, but more spooky in front on new trails (age 7).

I am wondering if, when they become alpha mare,they have some sort of added instinct to be alert?

Has anyone else noticed behavior like this?
Karen


_________________________________________________________________
Has one of the new viruses infected your computer? Find out with a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=