National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Cape Lookout www.nps.gov.calo Observing Wild Horse Behavior by Dr. Sue Stuska, Wildlife Biologist - have interactions with other stallions (and to occur over mares in estrus Horses, Cape Lookout National Seashore mares, if they have the chance). (breeding readiness).

The wild horses in the park are Wild social behavior is fascinating. The result of any interac- managed as wild animals. Wild horse watching is so informative be- tion is usually a clear winner cause the whole horse society is there; they and loser. If a youngster is This means that they show us wild behav- have all grown up learning the behavioral involved, he may show his iors and interactions which are fascinating “rules”; and they have a large area in which teeth in a clapping gesture to to watch. The draw for visitors and locals to interact. Most notably, a number of stal- display his submissiveness alike is that these magnificent animals can be lions are present, the whole social “order” is and thus avoid being the watched from a distance without our inter- in place, and there are no artificial boundar- target of aggression. fering in their wild lives and, so, they show ies - only natural ones. us how wild horses act when not influenced When a stallion loses he by people. Instead of leading, stallions most often fol- doesn’t necessarily run away. low the mares as they move from place to You may see him suddenly What can we learn from wild place. As long as the mares are far enough be interested in grazing, or horses? he may walk to his mares and Horses thrive in the wild, Stallion herding posture involves a straight head-neck line, low- move them away to pro- and have evolved through ered nose, and pinned ears. To the mare, this means “move!” tect them. Regardless, the the years to adapt to many hierarchy is a natural part of different climates and horse life. ecosystems. Here, they’ve What about horses meeting? How adapted to life on a bar- do they interact? Enjoy wild horse watching in your National rier island. Studying their Each time horses meet there is some kind Seashore. Bring binoculars. Choose a good behavior - including the way of interaction. It can be very subtle - some- vantage point where you can see all the they eat and socialize - can times it’s on a level we don’t even detect. horses at a glance (this keeps you from ac- help us understand our own In the wild, each interaction answers one cidentally getting in the way or getting hurt). domestic horses. It can also segment of the question “who’s dominant?” Relax and enjoy horse watching at its best. give us insights into how Generally speaking, the horse that wins wild populations survive in more conflicts is more dominant. The most nature. For the park and the dominant horse gets his/her choice of feed, Foundation for Shackleford first chance for water and the opportunity to Horses, Inc, co-managers of pass on his genes. the herd, understanding how What appears to be a random order actually has its base in Stallion interactions can they live in the wild can help the harem hierarchy. The alpha mare is leading and the stal- get quite violent, though us manage them most natu- lion is last, on the far side. they don’t always. Interac- rally. We consistently moni- tions follow a predictable tor the horses, and almost all away from other threatening stallions and escalation pattern - there’s of the management is “hands-off”. within the area the stallion wants to occupy, everything from just looking he is content to follow along. When the ha- Horses are social animals. at each other to standing on rem gets to a potentially dangerous area (like their hind legs and biting at The wild herd of 110 - 130 horses divides a water hole where others may be present) each other’s jugular veins. itself into about 25 smaller herds or harems the stallion will pass the mares and go ahead It’s a very civilized system: which are composed of the alpha stallion, to check it out. If another, more dominant, the level escalates only as sometimes a beta stallion, the mares, and stallion is there, he may prevent the mares high as the importance of the their youngsters. Youngsters stay with the from going in, or move them somewhere issue. For example, a dispute harem through 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years of age. else until the area is clear. over personal space likely When they leave, the young mares move to wouldn’t escalate past the another harem. The young stallions form The more dominant the stallion (the higher visual. Disputes also occur loosely organized bachelor bands. The only on the hierarchy he is) the less he has to over a grazing area, a water This dispute has escalated to a moderately high level; it’s horses that spend time alone are older males herd his mares to keep them safe from other hole, or mares. The highest over mares but they’re not in estrus. This harem has two that can’t keep a harem, but they are often stallions. escalations can be expected stallions: the alpha, right, is putting the beta in his place. within sight of one harem or another and Page 14