Love or hate?!

[mellongoose]

Why do the same horses whinny when they are separated but put their ears back when they are together? Do they like each other or not?! Both mares.

I had 2 mares at one point and they had their moments but at heart absolutely loved each other . At one point when we had to move them all to full livery I couldn’t get 3 spaces ( had a gelding as well ) on the yard I needed for my oldest mare ( special needs) so had to separate them for about 8 months until a space came up and when the second one finally arrived it was so lovely to see them together as they very obviously remembered each other . I did regret splitting them but there was really no option at the time as I was seriously unwell and pregnant . So I’d say , in your case @mellongoose , that they love each other but don’t agree about everything .

Thank you!

Hormones

Herd dynamics - they recognize & accept each other as part of the same herd but they are squabbling over hierarchy. Probably 2 middle ranking mares. The one at the top is clear, the one at the bottom is clear but the ones in the middle fight for their ranking.

Ha, i feel your pain. I have a little herd of 3 ( all geldings so not so many hormones) and the retired TB ( only 10 so no excuses for age) whinnies and paces when i take my ridden horse out.
He then happily charges at him with his ears back when i turn them out on my return 😳

And mine all know their place in the herd, ridden one is top man, TB is second and the little rescue coblet at the bottom of the pile ( don’t feel too sorry for him though as he can be an utter twat if you want to do something he doesn’t want).

Ok. This all sounds perfectly reasonable behaviour then!! Thanks 🤩