Understanding Herd Behavior

I like to observe horses within the herd, because it tells me a whole lot about their personality, and where they fit in terms of leadership. One important aspect of the herd dynamic is the pecking order. Horses have a pecking order to ensure survival in the wild. Many people assume that pecking order is determined by whoever gets the best feed, because that is often where we see it. But the truth is that the pecking order has much more to do with who is charge of safety. If one horse can physically dominant or move another horse, then that horse is higher in the pecking order. Lower horses look to the higher horses to tell them what to do when safety is in question.
In order to maintain my own safety, I need to make sure that at all times, I am the highest in the pecking order. I do NOT want my horses to see me as someone they can push around. To enforce my position in the herd, I like to carry a buggy whip (always when carrying food). I use the buggy whip to reinforce the boundary around my body. If a horse pins her ears at me, I will get after her a bit.
I like to watch how young horses handle new stimuli, and how they respond to pressure from the other horses, because it will tell me a lot about what they'll be like to start under saddle.
I encourage you to take as much time as you can to observe your horses in their environment, especially in settings around other horses. You will learn so much about them!
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
- Ken McNabb
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[@nonaperez1444]

When I was young, a local woman was killed by her favorite horse when she took a bucket of grain out to the pasture and got between him and a couple of other horses. This is an important message! Thank you Ken.

[@mystikmind2005]

What do you mean by 'killed'? Was it an unlucky hit or was it an 'I'm going to pulverize you to death'??

[@Camiken65]

I chuckle at people who say you're being mean when you create boundaries and enforce them. LOL Have they seen the horses interacting with each other? LOL this

[@Candy-O1776]

I could learn something about building boundaries from these horses.

[@curtcrusch3875]

Thanks for sharing your herds with us, I enjoyed your comments and insight.

[@anitasimpson478]

What a wonderful video! God bless you for sharing them with us! So much great information and inspiration!

[@gracechristianschoolcypres3189]

Great video!

[@gerrycoleman7290]

When a person is in with the horse herd, that person must be viewed by the horses as the 'lead horse', the fair and trusted leader. That person must understand the horse's language (body language) and be an effective communicator.

[@sallypenno164]

No you just Need to show your no threat

[@horsecrazy7655]

Thanks for all that insight! Beautiful horses 🐴 and my absolute favorite thing is looking at and enjoying these magnificent animals our God created 🤠

[@mystikmind2005]

I was around horses when i was a kid, so i never noticed any of this stuff going on.... I do find it curious that the horses seemed to know i was a child, so their not involving me in any dominance games.... technically i am older than they are, but they are the adults and know i am a child! lol.... the same thing with our billy goat who used to always challenge my dad, but never payed me any mind... how do they know i was a child??

[@ChallieWallie]

I am pretty sure they can smell the lack of adult hormones. And children have a different balance of chemicals/hormones overall.

[@trustingthejourney7539]

Why do people think animals are stupid? People can just look at an animal and know they are young. Same thing

[@shano92107]

Priceless insights, always a great show

[@mamaboocee]

I usually skip intros but this intro song was awesome!! So is your channel! Liked and subbed! I love learning about horse behavior - it is important so we can understand any horse from a horse's stance, and understand them with kindness and love.

[@Candy-O1776]

Yea, I’m not a horse rider, but watching the two of them go up those slopes, and down them was lovely!!! I saw cowboys do that in movies back in the 50’s!

[@tonyblackwell900]

Love your Horses , I love blanket Appaloosa

[@leeleeturn]

You have some gorgeous horses. Love the appaloosas, the blue roan, the buckskin and the pale palominos. What would you call them? Champagne palominos?

[@bonniegettingthrumyday2866]

❤️❤️ it is Sooo good to see a herd

[@keithtaylor6069]

Thank you Sir !

[@beckyhilst4893]

I love this content! I could watch this for hours!

[@keithtaylor6069]

What is the heat girth!

[@homeedconnect]

Great info about confirmation. Great video!

[@michaelfox3486]

We are in "the digital age." This shows how arrogant ignorant people believe "their" human principals are the same as a herd of horses. He has to explain why he isn't being mean. Why do the lead stallion and mare eat and drink first? After they eat and drink, they will keep a lookout for predators and survival for the others whereas most of the rest if they went first would get their fill "I got mine" and leave the rest to fend for themselves. A lot of people like that who want to be served and don't understand service to others. Well done realistic video.

[@Candy-O1776]

The nature of it all!

[@agfillion1]

I’ve always kept my eye on that mare stare

[@lizarutherford2477]

I always learn so much coming by on this channel 🥰

[@3rwparks3]

Great show..

[@lcaryfrog]

Thanks!!!

[@RobertoCastán-u7e]

Thank you so much sir for sharing this information, I'm a newbie in Horsemanship but this is hella interesting for me ill keep up with the videos, God bless you!