Managing Mixed Gender Herds

Many horse owners and barn managers choose to separate mares and geldings into different herds because of the hormonal behaviors of the mares. At Unbridled, I have made an active decision to maintain a mixed-gender herd. I don't own any stallions, primarily because I don't promote recreational breeding (due to the overpopulation of horses in today's world and the number of horses who end up in rescue organizations, sanctuaries or slaughter houses). My herd is comprised of geldings (castrated males) and mares only. There is no breeding. The situations that are most likely to trigger hormonal behavior from the mares are when there are transitions in the makeup of the herd (new horses added, previous herd members leaving, etc.). This footage of Tempo exhibiting hormonal behaviors toward her pasture-mate Markus (gelding) occurred after the passing of a long-standing herd elder (also a gelding). This type of behavior occurred for several months after the loss of the herd elder (who was a stabilizing force for the herd) and it mostly stopped after the horses had all adjusted to the changed herd dynamics. I am posting this footage for educational purposes and because the challenge of managing mixed gender herds is something I get questions about frequently. This type of behavior is very common, is completely natural, and usually subsides in a matter of months if the herd makeup is stable. Hormonal behavior in mares tends to be more prominent in environments where the makeup of the herd changes frequently or when outside horses visit the property and interact with the existing herd.