 TACKT Training
Life Cycle of a Horse –SIMPLIFIED
By Pim Grogan 24th June 2008
BORN : Bond with mother then bonds with herd. If a colt, he will be excluded from the herd 18 months to two years generally to find and live with the bachelor herd. He plays / competes thereby establishing his talents. Each in bachelor band knows his place through this play; physical interaction using mouth, front legs, back legs; especially mouth. Females in the herd do not usually physically interact at high energy unless it is serious disciplinary action...not play. If she bites or strikes or kicks she meant it to mean something. Filly stays with same herd of aunties, mother, sisters for her lifetime unless stolen by a stallion. Herd size varies from three to about twenty horses after which it is hard to recognise individuals well enough for bonding. Well taught horse manners create well balance individuals. Herd made manners are the best manners.
TWO-YEAR-OLD: Manners have evolved through predominantly female influence by experience and visual clues. Play is regulated by the herd and lead mare will exclude an individual if behaviour is inappropriate. It is normal and natural for a young horse to experience discipline to develop manners acceptable for strong social bonding necessary for herd survival. At this stage young horse is agile but not fully physically strong. It has been considered a good time to start a horse for that reason. The mind is open to discipline but it must be noted that bones are as yet to develop strength. It is best to introduce a positive experience and allow young horse to grow stronger for rest of year. Reintroduce at three and then at four.
MATURE HORSE: Around six for a stallion or mare of average (15hh) height, large horses take longer proportionally for the backbone to mature as it is the last to fully strengthen: it takes possibly less time for smaller horses. It is then that a horse is as strong as he/she will ever be mentally, emotionally and physically. A male may be strong enough to compete for mares if in play the bachelor herd establishes him as breeding stallion material. Many (most) will never breed. Some sneak breed—opportunist breeder. A female breeds most years but lead mare is generally unencumbered with a foal. She has the immense responsibility for major herd decisions – travel, discipline, what to take seriously among other things. It would be good to simulate this role in our relationship with our own horse.
END OF LIFE: This can happen at any time: injury, illness or being caught by a predator are all life threatening. A horse in these situations will be fighting for its life. Any herd has to adapt quickly to any change in structure so no herd is without A LEADER. Each horse has to know who is in that leadership position so they can get along with eating and conserving energy. That position is fluid and all horses will test it for their own safety. Horses need a large herd to minimise any risk to themselves therefore nothing in this jostling for position is taken personally.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SAYING SORRY: It only about bonding for safety.
NOTHING IN NATURE DIES OF OLD AGE.
A CALM HERD WASTES LITTLE ENERGY
ECONOMY OF ENERGY = SURVIVAL
Leadership means being talented enough to take on the onus of responsibility for the herd’s safety and wellbeing
Dr Deb Bennett, Mr Monte Roberts, Mr Steven Budiansky, Dr Marthe Kiley-Worthington, Mr Pat Parelli among many others have all written articles and books that relate to the subject discussed.
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