| Horses are herd animals | | | | What you might notice is this, a horse comes to |
| This is a fact. In the wild, horses will always keep | | | | challenge but continually lugs in behind the horse in |
| together. This is their natural condition. | | | | front. This is a horse that wants another horse to lead |
| But why do horses cling together in groups? | | | | it. It feels safer being behind another horse. |
| Well they do it for protection mainly. Horses usually | | | | The similar thing happens when the pack opens up but |
| stay in family groups, under the control of a lead mare, | | | | a horse just won't go on as the instinct to remain with |
| who performs the Matriarchal function. The stallion | | | | the herd overpowers the jockeys urgings to go |
| performs the usual Patriarchal duties as well as being | | | | forward or perhaps it does go on but once in front it |
| the main protector of the herd. | | | | starts to idle as it looks for company. The herd instinct |
| But what does this mean for the race horse? I mean | | | | taking over. This is very frustrating when the horse |
| they don't spend their lives in a herd, so would it be fair | | | | that is idling gets pinched on the line. But keep a note |
| to say that they are not under the influence of the | | | | of the incident and the horse in question and the next |
| herd instinct? Actually yes they are. The herd instinct is | | | | time he races you might be able to take advantage of |
| like any other instinct, inbred, a part of the animals | | | | his quirks. |
| psychological make up. And it can cause no end of | | | | There are a lot of horses out there who suffer from |
| trouble. | | | | this herd instinct quirk, loads of talent but having to be |
| The herd instinct is why horses like cover during their | | | | produced late and fast. They tend to lose a lot of |
| races. The instinct is to stay covered up as the fight or | | | | races to weaker and less talented horses. Take note |
| flight instinct takes over is a powerful one. Adrenalin | | | | of them and you will save yourself a bundle. |
| pumping, hooves pounding they race across the turf, | | | | As you can see understanding the herd instinct can |
| the instinct to stay hidden within the pack fighting | | | | help you save a lot of money by identifying those |
| against the jockeys desire to win the race. This is | | | | horses that are strongly afflicted with it. By contrast |
| most obvious in the last couple of furlongs, when the | | | | knowing which horses do not suffer from it can put |
| pack breaks up and the jockeys urge their mounts | | | | money in your wallet. Simply use your best judgment |
| forward to win the race. | | | | and you won't go far wrong. |