This module focuses on the key social structures and survival strategies horses rely on in both wild and domestic settings. You’ll discover how horses form bands and understand the importance of roles within these groups, such as the leadership of the lead mare and the stallion’s protective duties.
Additionally, the course covers the concept of Resource Holding Potential (RHP), which explains how horses negotiate access to vital resources like food and water. This non-linear hierarchy highlights how cooperation and need, rather than dominance, guide herd interactions. You will also gain insight into home ranging behaviours, exploring how horses manage and protect their territory, particularly when resources are scarce.
Finally, we dive into the Four F’s—Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fiddle About—unpacking the instinctual responses horses exhibit when faced with threats and how these behaviours affect group dynamics. Through practical examples and engaging activities, this module equips you with tools to explain these concepts clearly to your learners, helping them better understand the social and survival instincts that shape horse behaviour.
By the end of this module, you’ll be prepared to deliver dynamic, informative lessons on how horses live and thrive within their herds, enriching the learning experience for your students and improving welfare for the horses in your care.