Like I said in the previous post, there are two kinds of calming signals; one that is used when someone feels agitated, and one to reassure that they are safe to be around.

The one they use for reassuring is seen in different circumstances than the other; this is not when they feel threatened themselves, it's when they know that the other one is insecure and wants to reassure them. This signal I got aware of when I watched my stallion interact with his new foal, and fortunately I have it on film so I can show you :)

What I want you to pay attention to is that he tries not to move. The mare is very clear about what she wants; for him to go away, but Fabuloso, the father of the foal, doesn't want to. He is just dying to meet the little guy :)

The mare is saying "move away!", but she doesn't take it further because of his signals of being no threat. They are, as you can see, immobility as well as having his backside to them. Also he keeps his ears kind of sideways (like as he was sleeping) and his neck is also in a "sleepy position". Pretending to sleep seems to be the most important part of this signal (if you sleep you aren't much of a threat).

Notice that the mare reacts every time he moves a little, but backs off when he goes back to the sleeping posture. If she really wanted him to go away she could easily move him, he listens to her very much, but since he is behaving very well she reluctantly allows him to stay there.

It's fascinating to see her communication with her "husband" and her baby, but for now I want to focus on the signals from the stallion.

The foal is very curious about daddy, and the whole thing gets interrupted when he tries to open the gate like he had seen us do (I was impressed that he had noticed that!) and there is electricity in the fence so he gets scared of course (it's mild and the whole purpose IS for them to be afraid of touching the fence - you might disagree with using that, but it's common here in Scandinavia and really is another and separate topic).

I hope that you see the clip twice. The first time just to get the impression, and the second time with a look at my comments to the time codes underneath the clip...


Some details with time codes:

0:00 : The mare (Lebrera) and the foal (Bravo) hasn't been this close to him before, but the stallion was there and the mare went up to get some of the good grass at that end of the yard. When he approaches the foal the mare tells him to go away… she wants to be there, but needs some space.

0:10 : he got the message, but is a bit confused that she doesn't take it further, but instead she turns to eat. Check out his ears! he looks bewildered :) She repeats the message, and he is still looking confused (do I HAVE to move, or what?) so when she turns again he replies with a calming signal to her.. :

0:33: Fabuloso is using the other calming signal (I am not wanting a conflict with you) towards the mare; notice at 0:33 that he pretends to eat from the bucket. Watch closely and you can see how he isn't really thinking about the bucket at all, he is pretending to… and that works, she lets him stay there.

0:50: the foal shows interest, and Fabuloso can't help himself, he raises his head. He is about to go into the other calming signal (sleepy) but is interrupted by the mare that'a telling him to back off. The reason she turns around every time is to steer the foal away from the stallion, the poor mare has her hands full! Fabuloso goes back to pretending to care about the bucket and even starts nibbling at the grass next to it, all the while paying close attention to the mare and foal.

1:11: Fabuloso changes his signal from the "no conflict signal" to the mare over to "I am no threat" to the foal. Watch his ear! Soon after we can see why; the mare is busy eating, but the foals attention is fully on daddy. At this point, watch how the stallion is trying not to move at all.

1:40: The mare is aware of the situation and talking to both of them. A soft warning to the stallion and telling the foal to stay put.

1:47: The mare backs off for a reason I don't know, probably because dad is showing such good behavior, but baby Bravo can't help himself, he has to check it out! See how dad stands still (but is totally revealed by his ear;) )

1:57: Fabuloso is dying to get a closer look and moves a little. That is NOT OK with the mare, and she tells him so and takes her baby away from him.

2:16: They both listened to her, but now the baby can't resist any longer, mom tells him no, and he looks like he understands. Dad goes back into the calming signal to the mare (2:25) and then quickly goes back to talking to the baby with "I am not a threat" with the sleepy look.

2:49: the foal approaches again, and since dad is behaving well, Lebrera is not doing anything about the situation (but watch her ears; she is SO paying attention). The foal is now going for the gate and seems to try to open it (I found that amazing, he is only 4 days old, and already noticed that we can open the fence!) and, well that'a the end of that interaction at that point

The next clip I want to share with you is when dad is allowed to interact with the foal without mom present for the first time. That is, if you find this interesting? Those signals are not the same ones they use with us when they want to avoid a conflict with us, however it is very useful to know about these signals, too. We use them when getting foals to trust us, and they are very effective.

I am afraid that I am getting carried away here with all the details, this is a topic that I find so fascinating and interesting, but it might be overkill for you? If not I have other clips I find relevant that I would like for us to talk about in addition to these :)