Do horses really grieve when another one they "hang out with" dies?

Question

Beyond humans, are they unique in having this trait?

Answer 1

Yes, horses do grieve over the loss of a pasture mate. I have witnessed a horse stand guard over the grave of a friend for the better part of a day and would not let any other animal come close to the grave site. It was truly an amazing, albeit a sad thing to see.

I don't believe that this trait is limited to just a few species.

Answer 2

I think all animals do. I had two dogs that were together from puppies (not from the same litter) they were like husband and wife. Anyway they were constantly together in a house full of dogs. They would groom only each other, would only play with each other. The male died and I'm sure the female still misses him grieves a few years later. She doesn't play as much and goes through spells where she wants constant attention (which she would get from the male).

I've also seen the horse phenomenon personally and there is no doubt on that one.

Elephants are known to display the same behavior...often visiting the bones of fallen relatives in the wild.

Answer 3

Horses absolutely grieve. One of my first horses was out with two other mares and a gelding. One day, the gelding up and had a heart attack and died right in their paddock. All three mares showed signs of mourning afterwards..off their feed, real lazy when worked, they would stand under a tree all day when outside, and just generally depressed.
Recently, I've had to put down a horse due to health reasons, and I took her to my vet's clinic to do so. I didn't see an impact there as, probably, to the other horses, she was just going away on the trailer.

From owning animal all my life, I would have to say that all animals grieve in their own way.

Answer 4

Of course they do. Horses are sensitive animals deep down. How does it feel when you're lost from your dears? It brings tears doesn't it? Horses and other animals may not be exactly like us, but they have more in common with us than most know. From the time they are born they experience love when they spend their first few weeks with their mom. Wild horses travel in herds - they keep together because they are a family. When one horse is in danger, they all defend it. That shows something right there. If they didn't care about those they "hang out" with, they wouldn't stick around. Horses love to play and show affection to one another.

Answer 5

Yes they do. Mares and foals also grieve for a period of time after being seperated, and mares that miscarry can also show signs of depression. Other animals that rely on group structure also show these signs, such as dogs, elephants, etc.

The signs that an animal is depressed or grieving could be-
Listlessness, lack of energy
Sleeping for longer than usual
Reluctance to eat
Signs of irritation.

Of course these signs are present in many other illnesses though, so it can be hard to pick up.

Answer 6

I have never seen it personally, but I have heard of situations like that. In the wild, the stallion will protect his mares and sometimes especially the lead mare of the heard. If the lead mare is killed or dies some cases have been reported that the stallion stayed with the body. It's not unlikely. For example, we only had one horse for a while and he was very unhappy, but now our barn is filling up and he is so bright and cheery. It seems that they really get depressed if they don't have companionship.

Answer 7

Yes they do.

They also grieve if it is taken away (sold for example).

And yes, elephants are probably the prime example, although a number of animals are very similar.

I had 2 female pet rats. 1 died of cancer and within a month the other one died of a broken heart. They had been together since they were a few weeks old.

Answer 8

Elephants, dogs and horses are one of many animals who grieve in loss love one they were around.

We lost a few horses who Buddie up in the chain. They would Winne out and pace and not "themselves" for a few days and then they will pair with another horse.

We lost Pepper in November who was Charlee's buddie for over 10 years. Now Charlee buddies with our Arabian Chloe. Took them about a week and now they are always together. Both are at the end of the chain.

Same with our 38 year old Gelding and my 4 year old gelding at the time. Basically his "grandpa". Once he was put down, my 4 year old was not himself for a few days and then he went back to budding with my other.

Roughly 3.5 years ago. A women had a beautiful Dapple Gray Arabian who she was trying to breed. We didn't know she was even pregnant til we walked out one day and saw this foal. (she was not feed properly nor looked pregnant. This person had no business owning a horse to begin since she rarely came out. Owed 3 months worth of boarding fee and hay feed...).

Long story short, she placed a halter on the foal. You don't place a halter on a 3 day old foal. Her excuse "I can't catch him". Well, duh. He is not yet understood. Rule: never leave halters on left unattended. I know 2 horses with one eye gone from getting caught and few others with injuries.

Well, he was one week old when he got hung up on the automatic water and broke his neck trying to get free.

The mare difiantly winnied and paced when they removed the foal. For a few days she barley ate, would pace at night and depressed. Then she started to do it less.

The owner bred the mare the next month after...again......

Humans and animals have a lot of the same traits, but we are also different. Have to respect it and try to understand they need their time as we need ours.

Answer 9

This is very common in horses, dogs, parrots (especially because they "mate" for life with their human friends and live longer than the human).
Gorillas and Chimps grieve themselves sick when a loved one dies.
Elephants stay by dead relatives for quite awhile. Then visit the bones.

Answer 10

yes they do..some in fact will grieve to death if they have been together a long time you need to pay attetion ride him walk him get another horse but they grieve they paw ground winny and refuse to eat... cattle are same way ever see a calf taking from its mom its sad the mother bellows for days..animals grieve..