Problem: The loner horses of Wind Willows have decided to stir up the herds. They have lead the Lead Stallions to think that they're in danger of humans even though there aren't any nearby. The Stallions have been kicking out members of the herds, those horses have been forming their own herd.
Character Forum-
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Breed:
Picture: (Optional)
Color:
Markings:
Mate:
Crush:
Personality:
Rank in Herd:
RULES-
1. "*" out cussing.
2. Use parentheses () when speaking out of character.
3. Time skip when mating.
4. You can't be your own mate but you can have as many characters as you want.
5. Have Fun!
Name: Tora
Age: 3 years
Gender: Stallion
Breed: Pintabian
Picture:
Color: Grey
Markings: Pinto and blaze.
Mate: None
Crush: None
Personality: Tora is very obnoxious but he's funny. He likes to play around and tease others.
Rank in Herd: Loner but ventures into herds often
Name: Kirei
Age: 3 years
Gender: Mare
Breed: Australian Stock Horse
Picture:
Color: Black
Markings: Star
Mate: None
Crush: None
Personality: Kirei is very sweet and generous. Her mother is the Lead Mare of her herd and after she dies Kirei will become leader. But Kirei cannot become lead mare without a stallion so she is looking for one.
Rank in Herd: Daughter of Lead Mare, soon to be Lead.
Ranks in a horse herd-
Lead Mare- Mare in charge of herd
Lead Stallion- Stallion in charge of herd
Daughter of Lead Mare- Most likely to become next Lead Mare
Son of Lead Mare- Most likely to become next Lead Stallion
Mares- All the mares in the herd
Young Stallions- Stallions below the age of 2.
Young Mares- Mares below the age of 2.
Foals- Horses between the ages of just born and 2.
Loners- Horses not in a herd.
Bachelor Stallions- Stallions that group together and are not in a herd.
Horse Behavior-
Equine body language
The most obvious signal is overall body outline. It's easy to tell the difference between the high, rounded outline of an excited horse and the flat outline of a relaxed one.
Ears
Ears are good indicators. They point in the direction of the horse's attention. Both ears pricked forward may look pretty, but when you're riding, you want at least one ear on you. Ears pinned back indicate anger or fear. (Fear and anger are closely related in people too.) Ears moving back and forth often indicate uncertainty. Some beginners misinterpret any backward pointing of the ears as anger, but it's the horse with ears flat back who's liable to kick.
Tail
The tail is also very expressive. 'High-tailing' is a well-known sign of excitement, but did you realize horses flatten their tails between their legs like dogs when frightened? A horse who scoots away from something with his tail tucked under is truly scared. Tail lashing is a sign of irritation and annoyance. A kinked tail is a sign of submissive fear and often precedes a buck.
Facial signals
More subtle for us are facial signals. In her book The Horse's Mind, Lucy Rees has a diagram of mouth and nose signals. A long nose and tight mouth show anxiety and fear. Horses will also show 'worry wrinkles' above the eyes. Watch a horse being taught something new. At first, his mouth will be tight. Then in the moment he understands, you'll often see the mouth relax and chew.
A wrinkled nose indicates annoyance and disgust. A horse threatening to bite has an open mouth and perhaps bared teeth. (Not the same as 'mouthing' in foals which is a submissive gesture.) A long nose with a slightly open mouth shows the horse wants to mutual groom, a gesture you may have seen while currying your horse. It becomes the characteristic long nose, drawn-back lower lip and extended neck when you find 'the spot'.
