On the Range
Horse Communication: Breath Exchange
Did you know?
Horses communicate in many ways. In previous issues, we’ve talked about their ears and how they use them. But have you ever watched two horses come together nose to nose? It may look like they are telling secrets, but they are exchanging breath in greeting.
These meetings can end with a neutral acknowledgement, affection, joy, a warning, or the beginning of a fight. Sometimes after the breath exchange, there is touching of heads or necks side by side. Or they both walk away together go on grazing. Other times, there will be squeals, foot stomping, and head tossing to show dominance before one retreats. And yet other times this progresses to rearing, kicking, and biting.
Two stallions greet each other through “breath” on the Virginia Range.
Sharing the Range - the Coyote
The coyote is a member of the canine family and a smaller relative of the wolf. They are native to North America and highly adaptable to different environments, including those modified by humans.
Coyotes share the Virginia Range with many other animal species, including the horses. Coyotes are primarily carnivores, however will also eat fruit and vegetables and those seeds can be seen in their scat during certain times of the year. They will also eat carrion (decaying animals killed by other means or other predators). On the Virginia Range, their biggest predators are humans and mountain lions. In other parts of the continent, wolves will also prey on coyotes.
They are mostly nocturnal and well known for their yaps and howls that can be heard in the night. Coyotes mate January through March with a gestation period of 58-65 days, and weanlings usually disperse from the family in the fall at 6-9 months of age.
Known for being swift and cunning, coyotes are often found in Native American legends with varying significance, both positive and negative.
Volunteers on the Virginia Range occasionally see coyotes in the day time cruising through an area. Quite wary of humans they generally disappear as quickly as they appeared.
