What is the social hierarchy of mustang horses?

Answer 1

Horses, being herd animals, establish a heirarchy similar to that of pack animals (wolves, dogs, etc.). In wild herds, there will be an Alpha male, there will be Gamma males and females, and there will be an Omega male. Horses are not monogamous, so the roles of Alpha and Omega females are typically not filled.

Answer2:

Horses establish a pecking order within the herd and there is constant movement from the lower ranking horses trying to take higher positions in the herd. A typical herd will consist of the following:

A band stallion: A band stallion or lead stallion is the only male with breeding rights to the mares. It is his job to protect the mares and foals from predators and bachelor stallions.

A Lead or Boss mare: The boss mare is the dominant mare in the herd and she determines when and where the herd goes, where they eat and drink, and who ranks where in the herd.

Mares and foals: The rest of the herd is made up of other mares and their foals, they will rank from second in charge to lowest rank mare. The lowest ranking mare is often the last to eat or drink and the most likely to be picked on by higher ranking mares. The foals rank is tied into their mothers rank, and they can only progress upward or downward once they are old enough to battle for position in the herd.

Young colts, usually about a year or two old will be kicked out by the band stallion and must form bachelor herds until they are old enough to fight for a herd of their own.

Young fillies, from the time they come into their first heat are often stolen from the band by bachelors or another band stallion, this prevents in-breeding with their fathers.

Some herds will have what is called a lieutenant stallion, this can be an old band stallion that was not kicked out or a secondary band stallion with no breeding rights. Lieutenant stallions typically serve as a second pair of eyes to watch out for predators and rouge stallions.