I can provide information about dominance hierarchies, which are related to how horses cope with changes in their social group. However, the search results do not specifically address horses.
How do dominance hierarchies work?
A dominance hierarchy is a social structure within a group of animals where individuals are ranked linearly or nearly linearly. Each animal is dominant over those below it and submissive to those above it in the hierarchy. This type of social structure is commonly observed in social mammals and birds.
How stable are dominance hierarchies?
Generally, dominance hierarchies remain relatively stable over time. Direct conflict is infrequent because animals typically avoid confrontation with those of higher rank. However, temporary shifts can occur, such as when a female baboon paired with a high-ranking male assumes a higher rank during their bond. Additionally, an animal’s rank may decrease if it is weakened by injury, illness, or old age.
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