Re: 3 alpha horses (4, including me)

[MBlanchrd@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/14/99 1:50:04 PM PST, avpinc@bellsouth.net writes:

<< he accepts her
 unequivocally as the Boss Mare.  Unfortunately, she considers
 herself the boss of everyone, including the younger gelding.  If >>

This is normal! VERY Normal!! consider that, in the wild, a band of horses
consists of mares: grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, yearlings of both
genders and the stallion. Despite the very popular image of the "flaming  red
stallion leading his band to safety", the stallion runs behind, keeping the
band in one bunch. The Alpha mare does the leading, everywhere..to grazing
areas, to water, to safe places. 
A band is matriarchial in makeup and culture. 

Studies on wild horses have shown that the average tenure of the stallion is
about two years..basically, long enough to produce a couple foal crops, then
pfft, he's out of there, replaced by a new stallion. When a colt reaches two,
the mares and the stallion drive him out of the band. The colts strike out on
their own and form "bachelor bands". These can be as small as two and as high
as who knows. In the bands, they practise skills they'll need to be herd
stallions, and of course, are always ready to try their luck against the
established stallions. 

But the  fillies stay in the band. Sometimes they're stolen by another
stallion, but usually they stay in the band. Every female has higher "rank" in
the band than any male, other than the stallion. (by the way, studies also
showed that a stallion will NOT breed his own daughters unless they've been
separated for 17 months. If she returns to the band after that length of time,
he may not recognize her and breed her. This does lead, sometimes, to fillies
being driven out by the stallion..but not often.)

So for your mare to boss EVERY male on the place is normal. My horses..both
geldings..live at my neighbors across the road. They, too, have two geldings,
and just recently bought a warmblood 4 yr old filly. She immediately has begun
establishing her boss mare rank, and the 4 geldings are all gaga in love with
her. 

However, she has NO respect for my husband, or Bruce the barnlord..whereas she
defers to me, and June, the barnlord's wife. We females are alpha to her, she
accepts it..but is having problems accepting that human males can have rank
over her!!!

Before you ask, my information comes from the book  titled "Wild Horses of the
Great Basin". I can't remember the author right now, once I go offline I will
get my battered copy and send it and ISBN to anyone who wants to know. It's a
fascinating book and a very well done study on horses. If you want to know how
a horse thinks,, and why a horse does why it does..read this book.
Michelle