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Home / Equine Research Bank / Z Tierpsychol / Behavior patterns and communication in feral horses.
Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie1976; 41(4); 337-371; doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1976.tb00947.x

Behavior patterns and communication in feral horses.

Abstract: The social behavior of feral horses was studied in the western United States. Stable harem groups with a dominant stallion and bachelor hermaphrodite hermaphrodite groups occupied overlapping home ranges. Groups spacing, but not territoriality, was expressed. Harem group, stability resulted from strong dominance by dominant stallions, and fidelity of group members. Eliminations of group members were usually marked by urine of the dominant stallion. Hermaphrodite-hermaphrodite aggression involved spacing between harems and dominance in bachelor groups. Marking with feces was important in hermaphrodite-hermaphrodite interactions. Foaling occurred in May and early June, following the post-partum estrous. All breeding was done by harem stallions. Young were commonly nursed through yearling age. These horses showed social organizations similar to other feral horses and plains zebras.
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Publication Date: 1976-08-01 PubMed ID: 983427DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1976.tb00947.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study offers insights into the social behavior, communication methods and breeding habits of feral horses living in the western United States.

Social structure and territory

  • The research shows that the horses form stable, tightly-knit groups known as harems. Each harem is led by a single dominant stallion. In addition to these family units, there are also groups of bachelor horses who have not formed their own harems.
  • Despite overlapping territories, the study found no evidence of territorial conflict among the groups. Instead, the spacing among different groups is upheld with the help of the dominant stallions. This spacing helps to regulate interactions between groups and prevent conflict.

Communication via marking

  • Researchers found that dominant stallions utilize urine to mark their presence and assert dominance. This is an essential way to maintain order within the harem and to regulate group memberships and boundaries.
  • The interactions between bachelor horse groups are also characterized by marking, although these horses use feces to communicate instead. This acts as an essential signal in establishing dominance among the bachelor horses.

Breeding patterns

  • The breeding period for these feral horses occurs in late spring, aligning with the post-partum estrus season. This period was observed to be exclusive to harem stallions, confirming their role as the leaders and providers for their respective groups
  • Additionally, the study revealed that offspring are typically nursed through their first year of life. This again underscores the tightly-knit dynamics within the harem groups and points to a strong parental role played by both the stallions and mares.

Comparisons with other species

  • The study concludes by noting the observed social structure and behavioral patterns of these feral horses are similar to what has been documented among other feral horses and plain zebras. This finding contributes to the broader understanding of social structures and interactions among different species of wild horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Feist JD, McCullough DR. (1976). Behavior patterns and communication in feral horses. Z Tierpsychol, 41(4), 337-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1976.tb00947.x

Publication

Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie
ISSN: 0044-3573
NlmUniqueID: 0033336
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 4
Pages: 337-371

Researcher Affiliations

Feist, J D
    McCullough, D R

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Communication
      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Maternal Behavior
      • Sexual Behavior, Animal
      • Social Behavior
      • Social Dominance

      Citations

      This article has been cited 26 times.
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