26/11/2025
NORMAL vs NATURAL 🐴 Understanding horse welfare requires distinguishing between what is 'normal' in captivity and what is 'natural' to horses as an evolved species.
The "Alpha Mare" concept is a perfect example. In the wild, ethologists observe that herds rely on cooperation rather than domination. Leadership is shared and fluid.
Aggressive, dominant 'Alpha' behaviour in domestic paddocks is not a natural trait; it emerges from captivity.The effects are revealed by physiological stress markers, such as heart rate variability and cortisol, and the reduction of play behaviour under stress. Limited space and food drive resource guarding. Practical enrichment, such as more slow-feed stations and improved sight lines for escape routes, reduces competition and stress, helping foster a more peaceful environment.
Horses displaying aggressive dominance or refusing to socialise are not manifesting natural hierarchy; science suggests these behaviours reflect environmental stress or poor social development. By imagining constant uncertainty over meals or limited social bonds from the horse's viewpoint, we shift from blaming the horse to considering how management affects their welfare.
We can't fix what we don't understand.
The essential point is that aggressive hierarchy among captive horses comes from management practices, not innate behaviour. Recognising this is necessary for real welfare improvement.
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