The mystique of the Social Life of the Namib's
- a non-e-mouse
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Much as we would like to think we understand animals - more beneficial to both animal and human would be the humble conclusion that we don’t . We think (too much), reason, observe and argue from our somewhat narrow point of view, seldom able to extract ourselves enough to see a wider reality.
What we observe - so called ‘behavioural patterns’ - are actually the effect of cause. Cause being ineffable (“The Secret of Light” by Walter Russel) we miss the point because we’re looking in the wrong place to understand the world around us. Apprehending what is causal requires access to a greater awareness than the average human is generally capable of acquiring, given the lives we live.
What we call ‘social structures’ are, for wild animals are - and particularly it seems, equidae - ‘beneficial associations’ which are fluid and can change at any moment. What appear to be stable breeding groups could, within 24 hours, become a new arrangement of two stallions with one or more mares each, or one breeding group and a bachelor stallion. Changes this dramatic, while they do occur, are rare and generally have an observable build up - although the ‘reasons’ for the change might not be apparent. Our enquiring minds, always seeking ‘the reason for’ will, for convenience sake, attribute another effect as being causal. Our misunderstanding of the world around us is built into the way we observe it.
Social groups observed among the Namib’s can be as few as two (a mare and stallion) - or even just a lone bachelor stallion - to as many as 15 members, comprising one or more stallions, mares and foals. Stallions might co-operate and two social groups live in close proximity or even in the same group.
Mares can leave one group and join another for no apparent reason - or because they have come into season (as early as 11 months), and seek an external stallion, only to return to their natal group, perhaps joining another group later with her offspring.
Equidae can only be said to be ‘territorial’ in terms of the social group they happen to be part of at the time. Territory, in terms of area, is not defended. Colts mature late and have been observed to remain in their natal group for up to six years before joining bachelor groups. They may remain in loose bachelor associations their whole life, or, if able to attract mares, live in a social group as long as they are able to claim it as their’s.
Stallions are sometimes ousted from their herd by another stallion, or they may be killed or die of old age. Thus opportunity arises for bachelor stallions to move in and some of the most spectacular displays can be observed as they strut their stuff. Those familiar with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna might recognise many of the graceful postures among the wild horses.
After the excellent rains in the Garub area in the past year, much movement of individuals between groups has been observed. This is the natural flux of horses when not unnaturally confined in domestic situations. Some relationships may be so stable that horses remain together a life-time, no matter the environmental or social circumstances which might intervene.
There is no ‘pecking order’ among these wild equidae - in fact nothing is black and white. It's apparent tide is driven by an invisible force we have yet to comprehend. This is the mystique of the wild - that it remains impenetrable to our enquiry, as long as we cling to our rigid ideas of the way things aught to be.
Best we enjoy the Namib’s as we find them and not intervene if at all possible - we too can be causal in inadvertently breaking precious social bonds.
When visiting the wild horses - even if they do approach you, resist touching them and do not, under any circumstances, feed them. Many horses (including 5 precious mares) have died painful deaths due to ill-advised feeding efforts.
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