Mutual grooming is an extremely important behavior in horses. This caring behavior is also known as epileptic behavior, and it includes self and mutual grooming. It’s one of the most important horse behaviors connected with relationships among a herd. This mother is grooming her foal in our video, and the foal is grooming its mother in return. This behavior is represented through the use of the horse’s lateral parallel frame function, which allows for nibbling along the back or withers of each horse.
In general, horses begin by scratching each other’s withers, then move up and down each other’s bodies, not only rubbing with their powerful top lip, but also using their enamel to scrape and lightly nibble. Many horses appear to agree on the amount of strain, while others may increase the strain and nipping until the other horse becomes irritated and leaves. It’s always exceptional for each horse individually. Most horses involved in mutual grooming are near partners at some point, or, in our instance, mother and foal, and they appear to have a mutual agreement: you touch my back, I’ll scratch yours!
While the iciness coat is being shed, mutual grooming is most common in the spring. The seasonal sample indicates that the horses are reacting to the discomfort of a thick coat in a hot area or to changes in day duration. Foals begin to interact with other foals in play and mutual grooming when they are 1 or 2 months old, rather than just with their moms. These sports help foals develop their social structure, as fillies, for example, are more likely to bond with and groom other foals, whilst colts are less likely to do so.
There are a lot of questions about maternal conduct, which is a complex behavioral situation. Which changes may be traced back to a parent? Which of these are learned? How can we avoid behavioral failures when it comes to foaling and mothering? Many important problems are still being researched, and new figures are on the horizon.