Six Horses Saved From Slaughter in Maine

Unique Herd Behavior To Be Studied 

I have been observing these horses. They are unique in social herd disposition. I believe this uniqueness may stem from living only among family, and also never being exposed to other horses and therefore other behaviors.  I am a behaviorist by training, so their unique social unit is particularly interesting to me.

They are so unusual in that they have not had contact with other horses and have remained as a family.  I have never seen horses move so comfortably among each other and so closely without any griping or laid back ears, no struggles whatsoever.  These horses do not kick one another. No bite marks, few struggles for hierarchy. No complaining. Especially when eating.  They all eat together, extremely closely quartered, all by choice.

Here is an example of their unique social interaction.  The following account I observed when the horses were being coaxed onto the trailer prior to the rescue effort: Four had been loaded, only 2 remained:  Dad Sunny, and Max, a young gelding.  Max had a lead rope hanging from his halter.  At one point as the two horses were standing in front of the trailer, still figuring out if they wanted to step on, Sunny actually grabbed Max’es lead rope and pulled on it.  Everyone laughed, but I could see that Sunny was dead serious with this gesture.  It was, for Sunny, a tipping point. A few minutes later, Sunny stepped onto the trailer by himself.  It was fascinating.  I am convinced that dad Sunny was indicating to son Max that he needed to get onto that trailer.  Max didn’t listen, though, he took a while longer and finally he was loaded. Yet it was the pivotal signal by Dad I found revealing. Sunny urged Max to get on so that he himself could load. He did not want to leave Max behind.  

   These horses are exceptional, they move as one entity rather than as individual horses.  I do not want to separate any of them. I would like to geld the 2 year old Merlin.  They all need some groundwork to ensure better handling, but I have no need for these particular horses to become riding horses.  In a world of constant separation and loss of family, I think these horses are indeed a wonderfully cooperative family unit that should be kept intact. Therefore, I will endeavor to find a permanent home for them all, as a family.  Perhaps an equine sanctuary. A safe and peaceful place. I think to do otherwise with these very closely knit and astoundingly innocent horses would be a travesty.

 I also do not consider these horses under my ownership, though I do have a piece of paper that says as much.   They are more rightly a part of all of those who are helping and contributing to their transition  - indeed their escape - into permanent safety. They are simply themselves, and now a part of all of us, their rescuers, patrons, friends.  For having cared about them, we are also now a part of them.  I think it extremely important that they are given assistance without qualification, and freedom to live lives fully and with longevity. My work is to ensure a peaceful, loving, safe and free environment for them. Also to give them their daily carrots! That they have made very very clear.