Herd Dynamics..new development

rm185western · 09-06-2008, 12:25 AM

All the time we had Freyja, she ruled this place with a hoof of iron. From the moment she stepped off of the trailer, to the moment she loaded herself to leave she was herd boss. Even our 3 year old bull would change direction rather than get into an argument with her.

Since she left there seems to be no clear leader. Max was Frejyas dedicated right 'hoof' man, standing guard over her while she slept, and following her everywhere.

When Fancy joined us she was a definite 3rd in line, a tolerated extra. Then Freyja left and Appy Gilmore arrived, to start with Fancy was like a love struck teenager and followed him everywhere. Then Fancy came into season, and both boys followed her everywhere. Now they all hang together, and I can't work out how the pecking order works.

So does every herd have a clear leader, how do your herds shake down?

Crookedblaze · 09-06-2008, 12:40 AM

Stormy is certaintly the leader. Rocket was a leader if he needed to be, but he didn't really like it. Stormy has the sass, and bosses everyone around. Mac is the last in line, he just wants to be friends with everyone.

Luvridn · 09-06-2008, 12:59 AM

Well I have a definite first and a definite last out of my four...

Prissy, the mare in my avatar, also rules with an iron hoof. Santana, my smallish paint colt, is very passive, and last in line. In the middle, I have Misty, a large mare who PRISSY has chosen to be next in line, but Sly has put her in her place. Misty yields to him but Priss defends Misty and runs Sly off. So I guess it depends who you ask as to who is 2nd and 3rd....

**gbarmranch** · 09-06-2008, 05:45 AM

That can happen - no one steps up and takes over.. but eventually, you may see one that subtly rules the roost.. You just have some very nice, mellow and well integrated horses..

We have a couple of lead mares we can lend you if you want to shake things up..

cameo05 · 09-06-2008, 06:05 AM

Really I never even thought about that until we got Red. She tried to make herself known as lead mare, especially over my mare. After a few weeks, she lost the battle. It ended up as Sparky the big paint gelding that rules.. As far as the mares, my mare is always first in the barn, followed by Casey then Blaze, with a gelding or 2 in between. I have less issues with my mares than I do my geldings

KrisRN2005 · 09-06-2008, 06:28 AM

My daughter's mare is my alpha horse, she just gives a look and they all move

my older gelding firmly holds the #2 spot! However the 2 youngsters don't seem to have a set order, they are easy going and share everything.......for now

! Honestly they all get along really well, which makes my life a lot easier

PeggySue · 09-06-2008, 01:33 PM

Babs was my leader but I have put her out on "lease"
Her name stands for Black A**B***** LOL that is all I called her the first two months we owned her
She even tries to boss on trail rides NOBODY is suppose to pass her

My other three are pretty even although if I put out feed Sassy gets what she wants then Lazy then Moosa

It will be interesting to see what happens when Moosa comes home from the trainers

BklynCwgrl · 09-06-2008, 01:42 PM

I have a very old Mare who was always kinda the lead mare...right now I guess she's like the kindly grandmother...everyone likes her...and respects her...BUT...my nasty 5 year old is definitely the boss mare!!!

They're never all out together though...We turn the girls out together...and the boys out together...(not Crazy Jack...he goes alone).

But dog-wise...now we have a very old dog who was the head "B"...then we had another dog who was the mediator...and she passed away. I don't think anyone really took over my dog pack. They're all kinda individuals.

aBreeze · 09-06-2008, 06:58 PM

I also have an old mare that was always the bossmare, however now acts as the grandmother of the group. Everyone respects her, but she doesnt not rule the roost.

My big QH mare most definitely is the all mighty ruler. Even new horses dont challenge her... she screams witch. She is completely obsessed with our only gelding. He is no where near as "tough" but Doll lets him do whatever he likes as long as she can stand next to him. Then comes my three year old. She's good at just getting out of the way.

In the pony pen theres not much of an established order. Of the three of them Sakari will get the best pickings, Stella holds her own good, and then Tulah just does her thing... however Saki moons over Tulah and wouldnt dream of telling her no.

Thankfully we have a very good, well established herd. There is very rarely any fighting or commotion.

Faceman · 09-06-2008, 07:10 PM

Every time I have removed the boss, which has been 5 or 6 times, it was the number 3 that eventually took over - not the number 2 as you might expect.

I don't know if that is normal, or if there is a normal, but that's what has happened in my herd...

rm185western · 09-06-2008, 07:12 PM

I'll just give thanks that my herd just all rub along together

I think that they have just portioned out the leader role. Max gets to eat and drink first, which means that at the moment everyone else has to have water that he has washed his feet in

Usually they either have access to an open dug out, or one of the many cattle hot bowls. Were they are at the moment I have to fill a big tub every day for them, Max takes great delight in putting his front feet in it when he has had his first drink.

Appy Gilmore appears to make the 'let's move to a different place' decision, if they are on the move, rather than just grazing, he leads the way.

Fancy is definitely the lowest on the pole, until she is in an interesting condition

I've never seen any of them lay their ears back at another, no nipping or kicking at each other, I'll just keep hoping that the status quo is maintained

fishing_trex · 09-07-2008, 04:26 PM

I am down to three horses now, two mares (Ellie 17 and Annie 5) and 6YO gelding, Shiloh. I can't figure out who's the boss. I thought it was the old mare, but the gelding can run both mares out of his stall (they have walk-ins). The young mare can run him out of the hay at the feeder, but the old mare doesn't (she probably could but I have never seen her try).

Someone once told me to watch the herd in the pasture to see who was "in charge" when something spooked them, as that was probably a better indicator than eating arrangements. Once the old mare was definitely the leader, sounding the alarm and leading them away from the horse eating hiker and his dog. The next time, it was the gelding, making sure the neighbor's haybine wasn't a horse killer and he was in the lead all the way to the barn.

I'm thankful they all get along so great.

rm185western · 09-09-2008, 10:48 PM

I've been taking Max and Appy out to work on them quite often, and Fancy and who ever remains are usually quite happy until the 'missing one' returns.

Today I took Fancy out, because I had a huge job to do getting rid of all the burrs and tangles in her mane and tail, because there was so much machinery in the yard I couldn't work where I normally do, so tied her around the other side of the barn.

Now madam was being a bit of a handful, so needed to concentrate on her, not helped by one of the boys continually crying like a girl because Fancy was missing, the boys came round to see who was being murdered, and I found out it was Appy running up and down and crying.

Not sure if that was a leader crying for a missing mare, but sure sounded like a little boy crying for his mum

Freedomnchrist · 09-09-2008, 10:53 PM

Blondie rules the pasture...hoofs down!

Carri · 09-10-2008, 07:17 AM

We have an odd dynamic. Miley rules the pasture, and the food, she will run Opie away from the hay every time (so he gets his own pile

). Cricket is her BFF, so she lets Cricket eat from the same hay pile... However, when it comes to time to come in, Opie is first, always, he moves everyone else out of the way, and then Cricket, and then Miley comes in last. It is very strange!

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09-06-2008, 12:25 AM
rm185western Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 3,513	Herd Dynamics..new development All the time we had Freyja, she ruled this place with a hoof of iron. From the moment she stepped off of the trailer, to the moment she loaded herself to leave she was herd boss. Even our 3 year old bull would change direction rather than get into an argument with her. Since she left there seems to be no clear leader. Max was Frejyas dedicated right 'hoof' man, standing guard over her while she slept, and following her everywhere. When Fancy joined us she was a definite 3rd in line, a tolerated extra. Then Freyja left and Appy Gilmore arrived, to start with Fancy was like a love struck teenager and followed him everywhere. Then Fancy came into season, and both boys followed her everywhere. Now they all hang together, and I can't work out how the pecking order works. So does every herd have a clear leader, how do your herds shake down? __________________ ________________________________ Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check? Last edited by rm185western : 09-09-2008 at 10:40 PM.

09-06-2008, 12:40 AM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,360	Stormy is certaintly the leader. Rocket was a leader if he needed to be, but he didn't really like it. Stormy has the sass, and bosses everyone around. Mac is the last in line, he just wants to be friends with everyone. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

09-06-2008, 12:59 AM
Luvridn Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 1,053	Well I have a definite first and a definite last out of my four... Prissy, the mare in my avatar, also rules with an iron hoof. Santana, my smallish paint colt, is very passive, and last in line. In the middle, I have Misty, a large mare who PRISSY has chosen to be next in line, but Sly has put her in her place. Misty yields to him but Priss defends Misty and runs Sly off. So I guess it depends who you ask as to who is 2nd and 3rd.... __________________ If your horse wants to bolt, there is probably a nut loose in the saddle! PP

09-06-2008, 05:45 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,218	That can happen - no one steps up and takes over.. but eventually, you may see one that subtly rules the roost.. You just have some very nice, mellow and well integrated horses.. We have a couple of lead mares we can lend you if you want to shake things up.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

09-06-2008, 06:05 AM
cameo05 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 8,694	Really I never even thought about that until we got Red. She tried to make herself known as lead mare, especially over my mare. After a few weeks, she lost the battle. It ended up as Sparky the big paint gelding that rules.. As far as the mares, my mare is always first in the barn, followed by Casey then Blaze, with a gelding or 2 in between. I have less issues with my mares than I do my geldings __________________

09-06-2008, 06:28 AM
KrisRN2005 Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 667	My daughter's mare is my alpha horse, she just gives a look and they all move my older gelding firmly holds the #2 spot! However the 2 youngsters don't seem to have a set order, they are easy going and share everything.......for now! Honestly they all get along really well, which makes my life a lot easier __________________ May you always be true to your best friend, today, tomorrow and always ....

09-06-2008, 01:33 PM
PeggySue Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dennison, Illinois Posts: 525	Babs was my leader but I have put her out on "lease" Her name stands for Black AB*** LOL that is all I called her the first two months we owned her She even tries to boss on trail rides NOBODY is suppose to pass her My other three are pretty even although if I put out feed Sassy gets what she wants then Lazy then Moosa It will be interesting to see what happens when Moosa comes home from the trainers

09-06-2008, 06:58 PM
aBreeze Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 126	I also have an old mare that was always the bossmare, however now acts as the grandmother of the group. Everyone respects her, but she doesnt not rule the roost. My big QH mare most definitely is the all mighty ruler. Even new horses dont challenge her... she screams witch. She is completely obsessed with our only gelding. He is no where near as "tough" but Doll lets him do whatever he likes as long as she can stand next to him. Then comes my three year old. She's good at just getting out of the way. In the pony pen theres not much of an established order. Of the three of them Sakari will get the best pickings, Stella holds her own good, and then Tulah just does her thing... however Saki moons over Tulah and wouldnt dream of telling her no. Thankfully we have a very good, well established herd. There is very rarely any fighting or commotion. __________________ Unintelligible answers to insoluble problems. Henry Brooks Adams Last edited by aBreeze : 09-06-2008 at 07:00 PM.

09-06-2008, 07:10 PM
Faceman Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Arkansas Ozarks Posts: 7,080	Every time I have removed the boss, which has been 5 or 6 times, it was the number 3 that eventually took over - not the number 2 as you might expect. I don't know if that is normal, or if there is a normal, but that's what has happened in my herd... __________________ Read what I said, not what you THINK I said...

09-06-2008, 07:12 PM
rm185western Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 3,513	I'll just give thanks that my herd just all rub along together I think that they have just portioned out the leader role. Max gets to eat and drink first, which means that at the moment everyone else has to have water that he has washed his feet in Usually they either have access to an open dug out, or one of the many cattle hot bowls. Were they are at the moment I have to fill a big tub every day for them, Max takes great delight in putting his front feet in it when he has had his first drink. Appy Gilmore appears to make the 'let's move to a different place' decision, if they are on the move, rather than just grazing, he leads the way. Fancy is definitely the lowest on the pole, until she is in an interesting condition I've never seen any of them lay their ears back at another, no nipping or kicking at each other, I'll just keep hoping that the status quo is maintained __________________ ________________________________ Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check?

09-07-2008, 04:26 PM
fishing_trex Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,302	I am down to three horses now, two mares (Ellie 17 and Annie 5) and 6YO gelding, Shiloh. I can't figure out who's the boss. I thought it was the old mare, but the gelding can run both mares out of his stall (they have walk-ins). The young mare can run him out of the hay at the feeder, but the old mare doesn't (she probably could but I have never seen her try). Someone once told me to watch the herd in the pasture to see who was "in charge" when something spooked them, as that was probably a better indicator than eating arrangements. Once the old mare was definitely the leader, sounding the alarm and leading them away from the horse eating hiker and his dog. The next time, it was the gelding, making sure the neighbor's haybine wasn't a horse killer and he was in the lead all the way to the barn. I'm thankful they all get along so great. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

09-09-2008, 10:48 PM
rm185western Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 3,513	Screaming like a girl I've been taking Max and Appy out to work on them quite often, and Fancy and who ever remains are usually quite happy until the 'missing one' returns. Today I took Fancy out, because I had a huge job to do getting rid of all the burrs and tangles in her mane and tail, because there was so much machinery in the yard I couldn't work where I normally do, so tied her around the other side of the barn. Now madam was being a bit of a handful, so needed to concentrate on her, not helped by one of the boys continually crying like a girl because Fancy was missing, the boys came round to see who was being murdered, and I found out it was Appy running up and down and crying. Not sure if that was a leader crying for a missing mare, but sure sounded like a little boy crying for his mum __________________ ________________________________ Okay, who put a stop payment on my reality check?

09-09-2008, 10:53 PM
Freedomnchrist Greenbroke Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,312	Blondie rules the pasture...hoofs down!

09-10-2008, 07:17 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,982	We have an odd dynamic. Miley rules the pasture, and the food, she will run Opie away from the hay every time (so he gets his own pile ). Cricket is her BFF, so she lets Cricket eat from the same hay pile... However, when it comes to time to come in, Opie is first, always, he moves everyone else out of the way, and then Cricket, and then Miley comes in last. It is very strange! __________________