New Mares
On Saturday, January 21, two black mares joined the Chiron herd. Tasha, 22 (purple halter) and her daughter Midnight, 8 (red halter) were brought to the round pen on the property. Introduction of new horses to the herd is always an exciting and dramatic event, and it’s important to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Midnight Tasha
The four resident horses came running and neighing from the far north-east corner of the property. There was a lot of excited snorting, stomping and squealing as the herd made first contact with the mares.
Interesting to note how Belle Amie (black Percheron) sought to be side by side with Sorento (bay warmblood) throughout the day.
Making acquaintance Making acquaintance Making acquaintance
Making acquaintance Making acquaintance
After the initial excitement, the horses were given some hay. In equine behavior, eating means that all is well and everyone is safe. It is a good idea, then, to encourage the horse to lower the head and take a snack, as it allows them to calm down and readjust. Sorento (bay) was the first to do so.
Snack break Snack break Snack break
The mares also took a break and self-soothe by eating. But Midnight (left) didn't take long to start exploring the environment again.
At the age of eight, Midnight is curious and bursting with energy, but also inexperienced in functioning within a herd and with humans. She begins to make acquaintance.
Familiarizing with the new home Familiarizing with the new home Familiarizing with the new home
Taz takes on the responsibility for communicating with the mares from here on. He and Midnight begin with a breath exchange.
In the meantime, the older and more mellow Tasha seeks some balancing work and acupressure by the students who came to witness the arrival and welcome the mares.
Tasha chooses massage Tasha chooses massage Tasha chooses massage
Taz and Midnight are getting to now each other as they exchange information through touch, sniffing, nibbling and gesturing. What we are waiting for here is for them to start grooming one another as a sign that the mares have been entrained into the herd. They can be released from the round pen into the field.
The grooming ritual The grooming ritual The grooming ritual
The moment they were let out of the round pen, the mares began to explore their new home.
Exploring the fields Exploring the field Exploring the field
Exploring the field Exploring the field
Notice Taz being present at all times, keeping an eye on them, guiding them and guarding. Also notice Belle Amie staying at a distance, often letting Sorento guard her.
At home At home
Spirit, on the other hand, had only minimal interaction with the mares. After he fulfilled his duty in welcoming them, retreated to his role of herd leader and protector, leaving the supervising job to Taz.
Changes in the herd dynamic
New horses inevitably bring dramatic changes to the herd dynamic. The hierarchy has to be renegotiated, and each herd member needs to figure out where their place is in it. In the photo sequence bellow, Sorento (currently a lower ranking member of the established herd) postures and pretends to threaten the new mares. He does so to figure out his own place in the new, changing hierarchy.
Sorento postures Sorento postures Sorento postures
Sorento postures Sorento postures Sorento postures
Another sequence shows how Sorento tests the mare's boundaries by entering her energy field and nipping her in the back:
Testing the boundaries
Synchronized grazing': At the end of the day full of racing around the field, the steaming mares took some rest and, under Taz's supervision, they began to graze. It was interesting to watch them mirror each other's movement.
Synchronized grazing Synchronized grazing
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