Houpt K A, Wolski T R
Equine Vet J. 1980 Jan;12(1):15-8. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1980.tb02288.x.
The dominance hierarchy of a herd of 10 Thoroughbred mares was determined twice, at an interval of 18 months, using paired feeding tests. Each mare's rank was correlated significantly between the 2 tests. This indicated that the hierarchy within the herd was stable. The offspring of dominant and subordinate mares were also tested for dominance in their own age groups. The offspring of dominant mares tended to be near the top of the hierarchy while those of middle and low ranking mares were not consistently found in the middle or bottom of their own hierarchies. Paired feeding tests were carried out on 8 ponies. During tests the time that each pony spent eating and the ponies' aggressive interactions were recorded. Two situations were used. Each pony-pair was tested when both ponies were in the same paddock and also when they were separated by a rail fence. The subordinate ponies spent significantly more time eating and the domonant pony was significantly less aggressive, when the pony-pair was separated by a fence than when they were in one paddock. It was concluded that the dominance hierarchies of adult horse groups changed very little over time and that the foals of dominant mares will tend to be dominant in their own age groups. Management practices can be used to reduce aggression and consequent injury that may arise in group feeding situations.
通过配对喂食试验，对一群10匹纯种母马的等级制度进行了两次测定，间隔时间为18个月。在两次测试中，每匹母马的等级都显著相关。这表明马群内部的等级制度是稳定的。还对优势母马和从属母马的后代在其各自年龄组中的优势地位进行了测试。优势母马的后代往往在等级制度中处于较高位置，而中等和低等级母马的后代在其自身等级制度中并不总是处于中间或底部。对8匹小马进行了配对喂食试验。在试验过程中，记录了每匹小马进食的时间以及小马之间的攻击性互动。使用了两种情况。当两匹小马在同一个围场时以及当它们被围栏隔开时，对每对小马进行测试。当小马对被围栏隔开时比它们在一个围场时，从属小马进食的时间明显更长，而优势小马的攻击性明显更低。得出的结论是，成年马群的等级制度随时间变化很小，优势母马的幼驹在其自身年龄组中往往会占优势。可以采用管理措施来减少群体喂食情况下可能出现的攻击行为及由此导致的伤害。
