Herd Dynamics

There are a lot of dynamics that go on in a herd of horses. They sort themselves into an alpha who leads them around and makes decisions such as to where to graze and when. If the alpha is a mare, she often has a favorite who may not be high in the hierarchy but is accorded respect from the other horses due to her friendship with the alpha. That describes the relationship between Abby and Diablo.

Despite her age (or maybe because of it) Diablo is the boss of the herd and has been for more than eight years. She's the smallest of them all, but it's not always about size. If that were the case, then Trouble would be the alpha.

Because Abby and Diablo are besties, Abby gets first choice at the hay rack, the water trough, and the salt and mineral blocks. 

Hokey and Sultanna also tend to spend time together. Sultanna is the lowest of the low. She was born when her mama, Dolly, was part of this herd, and back then Dolly was the lowest member. Sultanna has never broken out of that place.

Hokey is a loner much of the time. He goes where he wants, although he respects Diablo's leadership and will give way to her. But he can be found happily munching in a different section of the pasture while the others are way across the field or standing under the trees by himself enjoying the shade.

He will pair up with Trouble, but is spending more and more time with Sultanna now. 

Trouble is a bit of an enigma. Abby is Diablo's bestie, but he is definitely number two in being boss. Trouble will often shadow Diablo and follow her and Abby. Like here where he's standing behind them in the old barn.

Tim originally had seven horses when I got Abby, and Diablo was the alpha then. Trouble and Hokey have also maintained their places in the herd order over time, with Abby always being lower than either of them. It's been interesting to watch horses come and go (Mason, Persuasion, Yukon, Dolly, Snickerdoodle, Sultanna, and a pinto pony whose name I can't recall) and see them integrate into the herd, but that order has remained stable and unchanged.

Sultanna is in foal again and due this spring. With Little Feller, she made it very clear to everyone that they were to leave her baby alone. She absolutely was not afraid to stand up to the other horses so it will be interesting to see what happens to the herd dynamics when she foals in April.