Social organisation and dominance in relation to resource ascendancy within a selected group of weaned foals

Abstract

Houpt et al (1977) stated that injuries sustained during dominance hierarchies, and poor nutritional condition of low ranked horses are the most common and serious equine behaviour related problems. Often aggression patterns are exhibited over resource dominance. If optimum management conditions are to be attained, regard for social structure, temperament and dominance within groups is paramount; this may be especially important where enclosed barn or stable environments are used. Studies of social organisation often assume linear relationships, unfortunately this may obscure irregularities found within the social structure (Martin and Bateson 1993, Lehner 1996). This study investigates social structure and how dominance determines resource (concentrate feed) ascendancy.A group of nine foals (n = 5♀,n = 4♂) were directly observed whilst being fed concentrates within an enclosed barn (Figure 1), daily for 40mins over a 25 day period. Dominance and displacement behaviours were observed and collated at 4min intervals via scan sampling. All foals were observed simultaneously and continuously.