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Social Behaviour |
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Breeding
groups and bachelors
The Wild Horses have a complex social structure. The core
of the herd is made up by so-called breeding groups which
consist of up to 10 animals – usually one or two
stallions, several mares and their foals. Other stallions
form casual bachelor groups. In normal years the age and
gender structure is about 70 adult to 30 young animals
of up to 5 years, 55 stallions to 45 mares and 50 group
stallions to 50 bachelors. |
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Change
of Leadership
The breeding groups are usually led by a mare
and always protected by a stallion (sometimes
two). Different animals may assume the role
of leader, changing even on a daily basis.
The leader determines when to get going, whether
from grazing spot to drinking trough or vice
verse. Since these horses are rarely exposed
to danger, leadership qualities do not seem
to be particularly important. |
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| If a Hyena gets too close to
a foal its mother intervenes; otherwise the
group is guarded by a stallion. Apart from
that the protector's main task is to keep
bachelors away from the breeding group. This
can be rather exhausting and therefore it
is not uncommon that a stallion tolerates
a rival – because he helps him with
his task. |
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| Play is part of the
horses’ social life. |
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| Serious fights like
this one are a very rare occurrence. |
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Ladies' Choice
Hierarchies are not very prominent; fights are rare, and
if they do occur they are usually just for show. The reason:
there is hardly any competition. To a large extent food
is scattered evenly in the vastness of the Namib; water
is available in sufficient quantities and the horses are
drawn to it at different times. And fighting for females
is of little consequence because in the social order of
horses the ladies take their pick: without a mare's permission
a stallion stands no chance.
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| Sniffing
at one another is part of the welcoming ritual. |
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Mare
with foal. |
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© 2007 Nature Investments (Pty) Ltd |
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- More pictures at www.namibhorses.com
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