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THE SECRET OF THE MARES

183:838459706 (Marc Lubetzki) — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:01:11 GMT

How a wild mare gives birth to a foal

I have rarely observed clear physical signs when a wild mare gives birth to a foal. The slight lowering of the pelvis seems to be the only minimal indication. Changes in a mares’ behavior can, however, indicate the upcoming birth of a foal.

The black mare usually has a very sociable and active character. But lately she behaves way calmer and does even stand apart from her herd more often. Normally, at times when the herd is moving, her position is very often in the front and during the resting periods, she usually places herself in the middle of the herd.

The foal has already drunk the beestings before returning to the herd.

It’s the end of April. The weather is quite pleasant for this time of year and the moon will be in full glance in a few days. Perfect conditions for giving birth to her foal. And besides that, there are already a few foals born into the herd.

A new faol in the middle of the herd

Another mare of the same herd already gave birth to her foal one week ago - during a hike. The herds were moving to a new grazing area at this time. They were in the middle of their hike, when the mare lay down for a short period of time, gave birth to her foal, surrounded by other mares of the same herd, and kept on walking, with her newborn foal, only a few minutes later. It’s obvious, the process of giving birth to a foal can be a very quick one.

Where and how a mare gives birth to her foal depends on her own character.

WHEN DOES THE FOAL ARRIVE ?

Most of the foals are born in the early mornings. This also counts for the black mares’ foal. It was just after midnight when she separated herself from her herd. Not with the idea to hide in a bush or forest miles away. No, she just took a spot a little apart from the group. Just as far as necessary to get a little rest, the way she did the days before, but still without losing contact to her herd.

A clear signal shown by the mare. She wanted not to be disturbed while her foal was born. This sign was as understandable for me, as it was for the rest of the herd. Right after her foal saw the light of day, the two of them moved a little bit closer to the herd again.

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WELCOME NEW FOAL

Only a few minutes after, the mare already moves closer to the herd. The two of them are now surrounded by mares with their foals and yearlings, but there is no sign of putting pressure on them. And suddenly the black mare is back in the center of the herd. Just like she was in wintertime. The only difference is that a small, still wobbly foal is now standing beside her.

J ust one member of the herd is not visible at the moment: the senior stallion. He keeps his distance, because giving birth implies that the mares are taking over the leadership of the herd . It takes time for the father to get in contact with his offspring, but being back he actively participates in the process of upbringing.

HIERARCHY IN WILD HERDS

183:838459706 (Marc Lubetzki) — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 13:42:08 GMT

Who takes over the leadership in a herd at night?

The day is drawing to a close. For the night's rest the wild horses usually leave their grazing grounds. But which horse takes over the leadership and decides when and where to go to rest at night?

A pleasant silence lies over the vast plain. The horses are not yet showing any signs of leaving. Widespread they stand in their grazing grounds. Only the senior stallion stays a bit apart from the group. But that's perfectly normal. He often changes his position in the herd. Sometimes he stands in the middle of his mares and an hour later he is almost one hundred meters away from his herd.

Now he's standing a bit apart again, between his grazing herd and a small forest. The senior stallion stopped eating a while ago and is now watching his herd when he suddenly makes a deep muttering sound. It is a very quiet muttering, but it can be heard clearly by every horse. Nevertheless, none of the mares raise their heads and no horse interrupts the grazing.

The leadership in a herd change according to the situation.

The herd moves past the senior stallion into the forest.

The forest is dark and confusing. Of course, the wild horses will not spend the night here. They will only pass the forest and will take the night's rest either at the edge of the forest or in another open area. The herd is moving almost silently. No neighing or snorting can be heard. Nor do I hear any twigs cracking. I, too, try to walk along as quietly as possible. After a while I realize that this is not as difficult as I thought it would be.

T he horses walk either on well-trodden paths or over ground covered with oak leaves. As the distance between the trees increases, the horses in front leave the chosen path. The senior stallion takes over his leadership position and stops this behavior immediately. He leads the mares back to the old path by making clear gestures. While he was very tolerant and patient at the time of departure, he is now extremely direct and dynamic in his leadership.

CROSS THE WOODS

Half an hour passes by. The situation remains the same. The senior stallion continues to stand between the forest and the herd and the mares, foals and young horses continue eating the grasses. The next moment there is a quiet mumbling sound again. This time the mares react to the signal from the senior stallion and interrupt the grazing. One horse after the other sets off towards the forest. The senior stallion, however, stops and waits until all the horses from his herd have passed him.

The mares in the front position choose a different route.

The senior stallion gives clear leadership signals.

What is leadership?

The leadership in a herd changes according to the situation. The well-being of the herd is always the most important criterion. This is why the senior stallion did not have to insist on an immediate reaction to his first command at the time of the change of location.

The situation of changing the direction in the forest, however, was about the safety of the herd and therefore he could not allow it. However, if a mare deviates only slightly from the path in order to find a better place for her foal to cross a stream, the senior stallion will pass the leadership to the mare for this particular moment. Just like when it comes to choosing the location to give birth.

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HIERARCHY BETWEEN WILD HERDS

183:838459706 (Marc Lubetzki) — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 11:08:42 GMT

How you can read the hierarchy in rituals.

The herd is grazing peacefully, there is no hierarchy visible at the moment. The first rays of sunshine announce the new day, as a stallion from another herd slowly approaches the harem.

Of course, this stallion is not really a stranger to them. All horses who live together in one area know each other. Still, the herds typically keep a distance from each other. This morning, however, the foreign stallion gets much closer to the big herd than acceptable to the senior stallion.

The stallion approaching is by no means alone. He already founded his own herd a few years ago. By now he is 8 years old. What is his intention today? Does he want to question the hierarchy existing between him and the other 20-year-old senior stallion?

Without hesitation the senior stallion gallops towards the stallion of the other herd.

What does hierarchy mean for horses

The pecking order between different herds in a herd association is subject to a fixed hierarchy, determined among the senior stallions.

In case of an escape or an attack, the fixed pecking order/ the hierarchy helps the horses organize the tasks and structures in the herd association within seconds.

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Sham battles of the senior stallions

Two senior stallions during a ritual to confirm the pecking order according to the hierarchy.

The bog soil under my feet vibrates when the two stallions meet.

The old stallion slows down and lifts his forehand slightly off the ground only when being very close to the intruder. His opponent, however, rises into the sky almost as straight as a pin. At the same time, his hooves shoot out forward.

His imposing appearance seems to be the expression of superiority. But this is not how we can see this situation at all.

The truth is: This encounter shows us that the older senior stallion is far superior in hierarchy. The old one stands on a lower level and longer on his hind legs. This demonstrates his strength and stamina.

For the stallions this fixed ritual is a great advantage. They do not need to fight against each other to measure their strength. As a matter of fact, the stallions do not even touch each other in this form of encounter.

Almost 20 years of age, this senior stallion is one of the most experienced in the herd association

So this meeting was not a serious fight - even it looked like. The ritual only serves to confirm the pecking order and hierarchy. This order has remained unchanged for many years and ensures a stable structure in the herd association.

T he described "conversation" between the two stallions does not last long. Both turn around shortly after their meeting and return to their herds.

The senior stallions have rituals to confirm their ranking order, their hierarchy.

No hierarchy in the herd

Back in the herd. Here we can find no fixed hierarchy. The herd is led by experienced horses, but not in every situation is it the senior stallion who takes the lead. The change of leadership within the herd is very obvious when moving to a new area or when a foal is born.

33e6ea647ea0446faa3aca5d6ceb409f

THE SECRET OF THE MARES

How a wild mare gives birth to a foal

Where and how a mare gives birth to her foal depends on her own character.

WHEN DOES THE FOAL ARRIVE ?

Newsletter

WELCOME NEW FOAL

HIERARCHY IN WILD HERDS

Who takes over the leadership in a herd at night?

The leadership in a herd change according to the situation.

CROSS THE WOODS

What is leadership?

Newsletter

HIERARCHY BETWEEN WILD HERDS

How you can read the hierarchy in rituals.

What does hierarchy mean for horses

Newsletter

Sham battles of the senior stallions

The senior stallions have rituals to confirm their ranking order, their hierarchy.

No hierarchy in the herd