Horse-facts about behavior are presented here in a concise list. When observing our horse's behavior these facts can help us to understand why our horse is acting or reacting in a certain way .
- Horses are prey for many types of predators.
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Because horses are prey animals they have a very keenly developed sense of:
Hearing
Sight
Smell.
Awareness of movement under foot.
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Horses can sense fear.
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Horses are most vulnerable when they are eating or drinking.
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Horses are animals of habit that have GREAT memories.
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Horses are inherently curious.
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Horses live in herds that have a very sophisticated social order.
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Dominance is obtained by the head mare through wisdom, respect and giving a sense of safety.
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After the dominant mare, the rest of the herd is also divided into a social order or “pecking order".
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Dominance among horses is not determined by aggressive behavior.
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Dominance in a herd is demonstrated by one horse being able to make another horse move OR stop it from moving.
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Body language is the way horses communicate.
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Horses are very social beings, needing the companionship of another being.
