On the Range
Lead Mares and Snaking Stallions
by Deborah Walker
The wild mustang has long been depicted as the rearing fierce master of his band, and to a degree this is true. There is a much stronger, more persuasive leader in the band and it’s a mare! That’s right, the lead mare and she is a force to be reckoned with. We have seen many cases where she has put a stallion in their place while taking control of the grazing, drinking, and movement of the family. She is observed walking at the front of the band. When new mares are brought into the band, she will discipline and train them prior to full acceptance in the family. Normally the lead mare is the older and wiser mare, but not always. She often shares the task with a trusted band sister who can help with a more sizable band. These mares assist in watching and listening for danger and can send the band into flight in a flash.
The stallion has the role of procreator and protector. He may work with the lead mare in deciding about a perceived threat but when it comes to quick disciplined movement, he lowers his head, pins his ears, with his nostrils and mouth pinched. He’ll do this “snaking” action primarily to move his harem from the threat of an approaching stallion. But occasionally he has to move wandering youngsters back to the band in which he uses a gentler version of snaking (unless they’re not listening!). In the wild we’ll see this activity in bachelor bands as well, but not usually among domestic geldings.
Photos by Richie Asencio
Killdeer
Another interesting species that inhabit the Virginia Range - Killdeer!
Killdeer can often be seen in areas of low vegetation on the Virginia Range in Nevada. You can hear the high pitched “kill-deer” call as you sit and enjoy wild horse watching. In the 18th century they were called Chattering Plover or Noisy Plover due to their loud, shrill call.
While there are other plovers, killdeer are the only plover with a double breast band. Killdeer populations declined about 26% between 1966 and 2019, as their willingness to nest near populated areas also puts them at risk.
Did You Know?
One of the things they are best known for is their incredible acting ability - when protecting their nests they often feign a broken wing to draw predators away from their nests and toward them as they run off. They are quite good at this act! However, for hoofed animals, like our wild horses they will fluff up and stick their tail over their head and run straight toward the horse to try to scare them off! Nature is so unique and fun!
The “broken wing act” as they distract predators from their nests. Photo by Richie Asencio.