One of the attributes that sets mammals apart from the rest of the animal world is that their young are born alive and in need of a period of mothering before they can fend for themselves. Evolution has created a bond between parent and offspring which allows this necessary protection and caring to take place. It is during this time that many animals learn the needed tools for survival. Disturbances of this normal period of mothering by removal of the maternal influence can produce maladjusted animals.

Early weaning studies in some mammalian species have shown that such individuals mature physically but lack the proper socialization to become normal adults. For example, females who do not spend adequate time with their mothers have a greater chance of being poor mothers than normally reared offspring. On the whole, early weaned mammals tend to be less adaptive, less able to fend for their selves, and less able to associate properly with others of their kind.

The world of the horse is made up of a social order or dominance hierarchy. If the horse is not allowed adequate time to learn the necessary social graces from his dam, can he properly function within the structure of the herd?

Join us in the Member section as we explore the structure of the equine herd and how it relates to caring for horses and breeding horses for events.