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Author Feist, J.D.; McCullough, D.R.
Title Reproduction in feral horses Type Journal Article
Year 1975 Publication (up) Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement Abbreviated Journal J Reprod Fertil Suppl
Volume Issue 23 Pages 13-18
Keywords Age Factors; Animals; Female; Horses/*physiology; Leadership; Male; Maternal Behavior; Population; Reproduction; *Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Dominance; Sucking Behavior
Abstract A behavioural study of feral horses was conducted on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in the western United States. All 270 horses on the Range were identified individually. The sex ratio was nearly balanced. Foal to adult female ratio was 43-2:100. Morality was concentrated among foals and old horses. Horses were organized as forty-four harem groups each with a dominant stallion, one to two immature stallions, one to three immature mares, one to three adult mares and their yearling and foal offspring, and 23 bachelor groups of one to eight stallions. Harem groups were quite stable year-round because of dominance and leadership by the stallions and group fidelity by mares and their offsring. Most changes occurred during the breeding season and involved immature females. Defeat of dominant stallions was infrequent. Immature males were tolerated because of their submissive behaviour. Bachelor stallion groups were inherently unstable. Mares came into heat after foaling in May/June, and were mated by harem stallions only.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0449-3087 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:1060766 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1964
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Author Feist, J.D.; McCullough, D.R.
Title Behavior patterns and communication in feral horses Type Journal Article
Year 1976 Publication (up) Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie Abbreviated Journal Z. Tierpsychol.
Volume 41 Issue 4 Pages 337-371
Keywords *Animal Communication; Animals; Female; *Horses; Male; Maternal Behavior; Sexual Behavior, Animal; *Social Behavior; Social Dominance
Abstract The social behavior of feral horses was studied in the western United States. Stable harem groups with a dominant stallion and bachelor hermaphrodite hermaphrodite groups occupied overlapping home ranges. Groups spacing, but not territoriality, was expressed. Harem group, stability resulted from strong dominance by dominant stallions, and fidelity of group members. Eliminations of group members were usually marked by urine of the dominant stallion. Hermaphrodite-hermaphrodite aggression involved spacing between harems and dominance in bachelor groups. Marking with feces was important in hermaphrodite-hermaphrodite interactions. Foaling occurred in May and early June, following the post-partum estrous. All breeding was done by harem stallions. Young were commonly nursed through yearling age. These horses showed social organizations similar to other feral horses and plains zebras.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0044-3573 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:983427 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3995
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