Mare telling stallion to stay away from foal

This clip shows some amazing body language! The mare, Lebrera, wants the grass near the fence, but isn’t sure about Fabuloso standing there. So, she tells him to move, but he wants to check out his foal. Bravo wants to talk to daddy, too, but mommy says NO...

The main thing for me in this clip is that it clearly shows what I call «calming signals». The signs of aggression are often talked about, but I don’t think I have heard people mention the signals they use when they want to show that they are no threat. The stallion is showing this very clearly; his posture is similar to a sleeping posture with his ears hanging to the sides.

The mare responds to this signal by settling down a little, but as soon as he makes a little move she warns him. Her communication with both the stallion and the foal is very clear. It needs to be mentioned that this mare and the stallion has lived together for a year and has only been separated for the first few days after the foal was born in order to give the mare a little peace. As soon as she shows that she is ready the horses are placed together again.

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Location: Skurup, Sweden

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Comment by leslie645 on December 22, 2009 at 7:59pm: hehehe everytime I watch it I have to giggle...its worrying your mare to death but that durn grass is sooo good right there LOL

Comment by leslie645 on December 22, 2009 at 7:55pm: OMGSH thats cool. your stallion hardly moves a muscle...just has that ear on the foal. too cool.
...and your mare is soo funny...that musta been some really good grass by the fence. What a neat visual of their interaction. thanks for posting this!

Comment by Nyree on October 3, 2009 at 7:49pm: Thats cool, I love your mare she is beautiful.

Comment by Ann Crago on October 3, 2009 at 11:40am: ...what a wonderful sight...a natural "family" how very rare.....and very touching....

Comment by Ellen Ofstad on September 28, 2009 at 6:26pm: Thank you for the nice comments :)
They both have a place to go and get away from each other, they just don't want to...

Comment by Gracelynn on September 28, 2009 at 11:53am: thats soo funny the mare is super cute

Comment by Bob Pruitt on September 28, 2009 at 11:53am: It doesn't look like he has anywhere to go but your stallion has really good attitude. Very nice foal.