Resource guarding in horses is often perceived as dominance. But is there more to it? Do horses even have a linear hierarchy? Let’s find out!
Resource guarding in domesticated horse groups is often present. However, they don’t have to be. These behaviors are, more often than not, seen as (the forming of) a linear hierarchy.
This theory, the dominance theory, gave trainers an excuse to use techniques in the name of natural herd behavior. With the aim to be “the dominant one” in their relationship instead of the animal. It was my reality for many years, too!
After being a former believer myself, it’s time to clarify the reality. Resource guarding is not about dominance; it’s a survival instinct for horses to secure their needs.
In this article, you are going to learn all about the true nature of resource guarding, behaviors, where the dominance theory comes from and how it differs from wild horse groups.
After learning about these topics, you’ll understand why this misconception has lived for so long.
This post is all about resource guarding in horses and why people confuse it for dominance.
Resource Guarding in Horses
Table of Contents
Understanding Resource Guarding in Horses
Resource guarding is a natural behavior observed in many animal species, including our equines. To understand it fully, we must first define what resource guarding is and recognize it as a survival mechanism.
Defining Resource Guarding
Most “dominance” in domestic groups is resource guarding, a horse guarding a perceived lack of a resource. So, this does not mean that resource is actually lacking. Resource guarding, in its essence, is a horse’s instinctual defense of anything he perceives as valuable or necessary for its well-being and survival. These resources can include a wide range of things, but here are some examples:
- Food: Horses may protect their food source, whether it’s hay, a bucket of pellets, or even a patch of lush grass.
- Space: Horses can guard their personal space or a place they feel is valuable, ensuring their comfort and safety.
- Us as their Guardian: Some horses may display resource guarding to guard us from other horses. This may seem cute, but it’s still distressing for your horse.
Understanding that resource guarding includes various aspects of a horse’s life is the first step in debunking the myth of dominance associated with these behaviors.
We’ve all seen this example: a horse chasing another horse away from a pile of hay. The chasing horse is guarding the hay.
Lots of horses experienced a shortage of roughage and space (stalled horses) at least once in their lives for some time. This may cause the fear of it coming short again, resulting in heavy guarding once they have access to it. They feel the need to have it all for themselves, due to this fear of shortage.
That particular example can be seen in many domesticated horse groups. I don’t like to call it a herd, because a natural herd consists of horses related to each other and self-chosen friends.
That’s also why domesticated group behavior can be vastly different from natural herd behavior.
The Misinterpretation of Dominance
Resource guarding behaviors have often been misinterpreted as signs of dominance, leading to widespread misconceptions in horse training and handling. Dominance theory suggests that horses are constantly vying for a position in a hierarchical structure, with one individual at the top as the “alpha” or leader.
Over the years, the dominance theory has clouded the dog world, and the equestrian world too. Coined by researcher David Mech, and debunked by the same man!
This myth gave both dog and horse trainers an excuse to use harsh and coercive techniques in the name of “mimicking natural behavior”, intending to be “the dominant one” in their relationship instead of the animal.
There is currently very little evidence suggesting that horses in natural environments have static herd hierarchy, but even if they did, this hierarchy would not apply to how they view us.
Dominance theory gives trainers the green light to label horses as disrespectful, to justify their methods. But besides the dominance theory not being true, respect is also purely a human concept and horses do not comprehend this like we do.
Horses are naturally avoidant of conflict and peacemakers. This is what can be seen in wild horse herds.
By challenging the dominance idea, we open the door to a more empathetic and effective approach to handling resource guarding in horses.
The Complexity of Resource Guarding in Domesticated Horse Groups
Resource guarding behaviors may involve one horse trying to access a particular resource while another defends it. These interactions aren’t about dominance; they are a reflection of individual needs, preferences, and the pursuit of personal comfort and security. In other words: these horses are stressed.
It is our job to look at the cause of behavior to solve the issue. When one horse of the group is stressed, it’s likely that others are too. To solve this dynamic, it’s important to minimize the need for guarding and to make sure the horses tolerate each other.
The vast majority of undesired behaviors of domesticated horses, are caused by human influence.
Lucky for us, there are many ways to accomplish this.
Contrasting Domesticated and Wild Horse Behavior
Unlike the commonly depicted image of a clear hierarchy with an “alpha” leader, wild horse herds function differently.
Wild horses live together in relative peace, making decisions based on their collective needs rather than establishing a linear pecking order. All members of the herd have a role in contributing to the group’s well-being, and there isn’t a clear winner in decision-making.
And yes, we do see lots of photo & video footage of wild horses displaying aggressive behavior, but those are simply the most interesting shots.
Even when wild stallions are actually fighting, it’s defenitely not an attempt to be alpha. This too, is to protect and/or secure resources.
To add, young (mostly male) horses practise fighting through play. Therefore it can be mistaken for aggression, which it isn’t.
Peaceful Coexistence
So, unlike the traditional notion of an “alpha” horse leading the group, wild horse herds operate on principles of cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
In these natural settings, decision-making is a collective effort, with all herd members contributing to the group’s well-being. There is no single horse that clearly makes more decisions than another, or dictates the actions of the entire herd. Instead, horses rely on their instincts, social bonds, and shared responsibilities to thrive.
There won’t be as much resource guarding, as they have plenty of resources. They also get to choose who they live with, unlike our domesticated horses.
The Role of Resource Management
Wild horses have evolved to efficiently share resources such as grazing areas and water sources. There isn’t a struggle for dominance over these vital resources; instead, horses work together to ensure everyone’s needs are met.
Observing this natural behavior, we can see how resource guarding, as we understand it in domesticated contexts, is a result of the unique circumstances and dependencies due to human intervention.
Don’t get me wrong, domesticated groups can truly live a happy life. It’s more true to their nature than stalling horses or pasturing them individually. But, we can’t just throw some horses together and expect everything to work out.
The Collective Decision-Making
When it comes to choosing a direction to graze or deciding on resting locations, each horse has a say, and their choices are based on the group’s immediate needs.
This collective decision-making process highlights the inherent democratic nature of herds. It stands in stark contrast to the simplistic interpretation of resource guarding, which is hardly present in contrast to domestic groups, as an expression of dominance.
In the upcoming sections, we will delve into practical approaches for addressing resource guarding and promoting the well-being of horses in our care, based on a more accurate understanding of their behaviors and needs.
Resource Guarding: A Sign of High Stress in Horses
We now know resource guarding is paired with stress and anxiety. To provide the best care and training for our horses, it’s essential to recognize the underlying causes of the guarding.
Stress as a Precursor to Resource Guarding
Resource guarding is a coping mechanism for horses facing uncertainty and anxiety in their environment. When horses feel insecure about their access to essential resources like food, water, or personal space, they may resort to guarding these resources to ensure their well-being.
In some cases, there may not be a lack of the resource. However, a horse may still perceive there is.
Signs of Stress-Induced Resource Guarding
Recognizing the signs of resource guarding is crucial for horse owners and trainers. Some of the common indicators include:
- Aggressive body language, such as pinning the ears, baring teeth, or threatening gestures.
- Vocalizations, such as squealing or aggressive nickering.
- Postural changes, like a stiffened stance or defensive positioning around resources.
- Chasing the treath (the other horse) away.
Understanding that these behaviors are not about being alpha, allows us to opproach the issue with empathy and a focus on addressing the underlying stressors.
Easing Resource Guarding in Group Settings
When managing a group of horses, resource guarding behaviors can lead to tension and conflict. To maintain a harmonious environment, consider the following strategies:
- Provide Plenty of Resources: Ensure a good supply of food, water, and space.
- Separate Feeding: If possible, feed horses their supplementary food individually or in smaller groups to prevent competition during meal times.
- Training and Socialization: Consistent training and socialization efforts can help horses become more relaxed in group settings.
But the most effective one short and long-term, is the one below:
Provide Lots of Hay Stations: The general rule is one feeding station per horse + one extra to minimize competition and reduce the triggers for resource guarding. This ensures that every horse can eat as much as they need, even if they happen to be chased away somewhere else. Eventually, the guarders learn that there's no reason to guard anymore. There's plenty of food/water/space. Please ensure there's enough space between the stations!
By implementing these strategies and addressing the root causes of resource guarding, we can create a more peaceful and stress-free environment for our horses.
F.A.Q.
Can resource guarding be modified through training?
Yes, resource guarding behaviors can be modified through training and positive reinforcement techniques! My own horse is a great example of this.
By addressing the underlying causes of stress and anxiety that lead to resource guarding, horses can learn more appropriate behaviors and become more relaxed in resource-sharing situations.
Is resource guarding a sign of a horse's dissatisfaction with its living conditions or care?
Yes. Resource guarding is a signal that a horse does not feel secure enough (yet) in his environment. Or he may have concerns about the availability of essential resources. It’s essential to assess and address any potential stressors in the horse’s living conditions, training methods, and management.
Are there specific training methods for reducing resource guarding in horses?
Effective training methods often involve positive reinforcement, systematic desensitization, and counterconditioning. These techniques focus on changing the horse’s emotional response to resource-sharing situations and promoting cooperative behavior.
But, without addressing the real root cause (scarcity, or not enough different places to eat), the training will not help.
Make sure to fix the environment first, before training.
Conclusion
Resource guarding in horses, often misunderstood as dominance to establish a static hierarchy, is a complex behavior rooted in their perceived lack of essential resources. Our exploration has debunked this dominance myth and shed light on the true nature of these behaviors.
It’s not about being alpha or defending your place in the order; it’s a response to stress and anxiety. Recognizing signs and addressing stress is crucial for compassionate handling.
Wild horse herds operate cooperatively, live in peace, and don’t have a clear winner when it comes to requests, thus challenging the dominance hierarchy theory.
This underscores the need for a reevaluation of this widely adopted approach, to change the way many people currently train their horses.
Practical strategies, like providing plenty of resources and positive reinforcement, promote well-being in group settings.
We’ve addressed common questions, dispelling misconceptions and emphasizing humane practices.
Please, let’s commit to respectful horse handling, ensuring their welfare through understanding and care.
It’s so worth it!
Elke
Wow this is all new information for me! This makes a lot of sense and I always felt that the whole dominance thing was off. Thank you for the insights!
Grace
Very interesting and insightful article. Thank you for educating me on a new topic!
Christine
This is so interesting! And I love how you connect it to dogs’ behavior as well. It totally makes sense it comes more from this trauma response and also makes horses feel even more relatable. 🙂 Thank you for sharing this fascinating information!
Karen
This is so interesting! Horses are so complex. My mother used to train horses but she never mentioned resource guarding. Fascinating.
Fransic verso
This is very interesting and informative as well, I don’t have horses but my cousin did. I’m looking to have one in the future.