Darcy may not be large but he’s definitely in charge. I see this type of interaction with my colts who are always playing but also trying to assert rank.👏
I’ve been learning a lot more about horse language through you than I ever had in the past. The flat pinned ears, the driving and leading, the nipping, the arched neck… as everyone else has been saying, the pony, Darcy, seems to be the boss.
Darcy is the Alpha. During the "play" in the ring or corral he ALWAYS controlled the center area. Like a prize fighter. The weaker opponent ends up on the "ropes" with the dominant combatant controlling the center of the ring. He also didn't seem scared or "shyed" when Chevy approached him. He might have a bit of a "Napolean" complex.😂 Or feels he must assert himself because of his size. TY for the behavioral lesson. I have been watching YT 🐎 training channels for about a year and have learned so much.
Very interesting watching horse behaviour. It may be boring for some, but I wish you’d make more of these videos. My herd dynamics are interesting with our 3.Jack is the leader but Willow the rescue pony will squeal and kick him around food.He got caught with a double barrel but comes back to return the favour. The other mare Smokey wants none of this and goes off to another hay pile. Smokey will drive Willow off her feed then eventually let her share it. Smokey never argues with Jack. Willow was rescued from a large herd of abandoned ponies and has a lot of herd and survival instincts the other 2 don’t .
This is great! It hasn't previously occurred to me how penetrating a smaller horse can be- their eye line, how much closer they are to a bigger horse's neck and their ability to trip up a taller horse more easily. ❤
I can see it now that you've pointed out the constants between them. I was thinking it was Darcy, but I wasn't looking at the bigger picture. Thank you.
All I know about horses is that I adore them, I take it as reciprocation when they don’t try to kick or bite me! I can’t read them at all, so thanks for this lovely instructive video.
This is great! It hasn't previously occurred to me how penetrating a smaller horse can be- their eye line, how much closer they are to a bigger horse's neck and their ability to trip up a taller horse more easily.
Darcy, he's moving Chevy's feet. I have just recently been watching the behaviour of my two horses. My Murphy was always the quiet boss but since he had an eye removed things have changed. When I come to the gate in the morning both stand there and now Domingo turns his head, ears pinned back and looking at Murphy's feet sending him back. What is also interesting is that Murphy always keeps Domingo to his right side where he still has an eye so he can interact with Domingo. When they eat hay together Murphy will come up sideways, head down looking at Domingo's feet to gently move him over. It's been really interesting watching my two horses change positions after Murphy being 15 years the boss. Domingo can be really nasty at times but that's the nature of horses, only the strong survive
The early part of the video, Darcy is calmer, holding his ground, *choosing* the interactions. Chevy is reacting and objecting but ultimately Darcy is quietly and consistently demanding that Chevy just be sensible, thank you. No. Over there. Watching him using his shoulder to drive Chevy is fascinating. Getting close enough that Chevy could bite or kick, but in doing so offering that closeness so Chevy can feel his place. Avoiding the bites but also refusing to escalate, continuing to ask with his shoulder for the space he wants. Bringing the conversation down to a whisper in stages.
Good thing Darcy is good with kids. He’s such an aggressor - doesn’t like other horses I think. Interestingly, my 24 pound sheltie was boss over my 94 pound GSD even after the GSD was 5-6 years old.
Steve you've taught us well. Whichever one moves the others feet. From what i see, it's the pony that's alpha. the pony moved Chevy away from the food.
Chevy looks like a big teenager who moves a lot, who makes a drama, but it's Darcy who is the boss. He' a lot more quiet, more constant in his actions, but he makes chevy changes his directions. So, i think Chevy is still a young horse who learns social interactions ( even if he doesn't snap like a baby). He wants but he doesn't know very well how !
A little surprised. Reminds me if the Clyde Beady (?) circus story years ago where a smaller cat, I think it was a cheetah, would take a swipe at the lions leg every time it returned to its perch. One night the lion had had enough, and decapitated the cheetah with said leg..
This is why my horse has never been allowed to take feed from the mixing bucket I have until it's in his feed bin. He generally does circles waiting or he'll walk to his bin (if away from the gate) and stand back until I put it in. Sometimes he's cheeky and pushes me on the butt as I'm bending over to mix it LOL! I automatically knew it was Darcy, he's a pony and older and that's what they do lol
I think Darcy wants to be in charge. He’s being a lot more dominating n Chevy’s more like, oh bugger off n leave me alone or your gonna get it in a minute 😂
6:00 At first I thought it was Chevy moving Darcy around, but it looks like Darcy was letting him in play. Darcy is doing the head over the neck and has ears pinned back. Maybe Chevy is learning from him.
Well, my guess would be the smaller one ? He seems to be moving the larger around quite a bit. Smaller dogs can do this to larger ones too- but, that’s my guess.
Isn't it usually the smaller ones that rule the roost? A Chihuahua controlling a pack of big dogs. A cat controlling a pack of Rotwielers. Mr. Darcy is definitely in control but I have the feeling that Chevy is just not that interested in pushing it. He's young and for the most part is enjoying the interaction. He's okay with the way things are at the moment, but he may decide when it's enough and assert himself.
I have a question. At about 6:12 Chevy turns his bum to Darcy. Is this an aggressive stance or a submissive behavior? My horse does this when I pet him over the fence. I'm not sure if I should correct him. I usually rub his bum and then ask for 2 eyes and he complies. But should I stop the behavior?
Darcy is higher in hierarchy. He‘s driving Chevy, pinning his ears (which Chevy doesn’t) and doing most of the biting which is more correcting the overbearing colt behavior than playing, while Chevy is playfully challenging Darcy without much passion.
Looks like Chevy is trying to defend against Darcy being aggressive. If Darcy were bigger he might really hurt Chevy. I see what you mean about the "play".
