Equine gender fluidity: The 'lead mare'
On the day the two new mares showed up, Taz revealed a little bit of gender fluidity in the equine species.This 27 y/o gelding took on the role of the “lead mare” and was fulfilling his/her duty for days on end, not stopping for a minute. In a wild or a bigger herd, it would be a dominant mare who would "look after" Tasha and Midnight, familiarize them with the herd and the environment, help them settle and blend into the herd's hierarchy. Taz became the lead mare for the next two weeks, and played the role with his typical stoic elegance and dedication.
