{"id":49689,"date":"2021-09-19T12:28:01","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T16:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org\/?p=49689"},"modified":"2021-09-20T16:43:31","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T20:43:31","slug":"family-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org\/?p=49689","title":{"rendered":"Family matters."},"content":{"rendered":"

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September 19th<\/h3>\n

Wild horses roam together in family groups called bands (the word herd is sometimes used, but is incorrect)<\/p>\n

There is always at least one lead stallion and one lead mare to form a band, but there is no exact formula. Much like human families, we find that there is not one family exactly the same as another. This is what keeps herd dynamics so interesting.<\/p>\n

This beautiful young family band is a great example.<\/p>\n

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On the Salt River it is not uncommon for bands to have more than one stallion, sometimes even three or four stallions, but there is always one stallion clearly the lead, and the others are called lieutenant stallions and second lieutenant stallions etc. Their roles are worked out over time through battling, and their hierarchy is eventually determined by age, strength and intelligence.<\/p>\n

This band seems a bit of an exception and it is sometimes hard to tell who is the real lead. If you look closely at this picture, you will notice two bay stallions who look almost identical and act almost identical as well. 🐴🐴You can see each one pushing their mares together in the same direction, as if they had previously discussed their plans. (They are doing this, not to be mean, but to keep them safe from other stallions). How are they so effortlessly and harmoniously working together?<\/p>\n