Behaviour

Question
Is it possible that a mare (not pregnant) would become more aggresive to pregnant mare?  The non-pregnant mare is the alph but typically is not aggresive.  Lately she has been toward the other mare,we are looking into different reasons for the attitude but just curious if the submissive mare being pregnant would matter at all.  Thank you so much

Answer
Hi Brandy,

Yes, it is possible that the alpha mare is sensing the pregnancy of other mare in the herd.  It all goes back to horses running in bands in the wild.  The Alpha mare would try to run the submissive pregnant mares out of the herd to make herself known that she should be the one to carry offspring of the stallion and replenish the herd.

You may be surprised though that once your submissive mare foals, she may end up being the one who becomes agressive toward the Alpha mare.  I have seen that happen many, many times.

Watch these mares closely.  I have seen Alpha mares get a submissive pregnant mare cornered and kick the snot out of them.

Best of luck and be careful around these two,
Sandy