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FW: [RC] A horse worth having - Mike Sherrell

More than once I've seen a pregnant mare go to the bottom of the order, then a year or so later start working her way back up, although maybe not to the same point. I've seen fillies, who as youngsters separated from their mothers were at the absolute bottom of the totem pole, team up to jointly reach a point close to the top. I've seen lower-down mares that lost their first fights eventually overcome their rivals by persistence. The worst of it is, I've had several have their hinds hurt in the process. I really wish there were a way to keep horses in a herd without that danger. Boxing gloves, maybe.
 
Regards,
 
Mike Sherrell
Grizzly Analytical (USA)
707 887 2919; fax = 707 887 9834
 


From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karen Everhart
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 7:35 AM
To: Barbara McCrary; mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Ridecamp
Subject: [RC] A horse worth having

For the "compliant" horse, this is very close to true.  For the horse which challenges a dominant herd mate, this is not true at all.
 
We manage 35 - 50 horses at any given time on a 240 acre turn-out here at the rescue.  For the most part, things are smooth BUT, there is always the rare horse who decides it simply must try to move up the food chain.  That horse constantly challenges which ever horse is "above" them and some strong confrontations occur. I can assure you that should that horse try to challenge the dominant mare or gelding (and it does happen) then things get as ugly as they need to for dominance to be re-established.
 
 
Karen Everhart MEd
Co-founder and Executive Director
Rainbow Meadows Rescue and Retirement, Inc.
Serving the equine companions who have so loyally served us...
www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com
620-725-3402
 

Owner/Operator Horse Calls - Equine Management Solutions
Centered Riding Instructor
Distance Horse Conditioning and Training
www.horsecalls.com
316-648-5082
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 9:28 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] A horse worth having

I do not completely agree with this assessment.  I've seen an established horse determine the pecking order with nothing but a sneer and an ear-pinning.  No kicks, no bites, no pain.  Just body English.  The subservient horse learns very quickly and accepts that ear-pinning as "I'm the top horse around here and don't try to change this."  It seems to establish a calm society as long as every horse stays in his place.  No one said horse society was a democracy.  :-))
 
Barbara