Origin: These horses are not indigenous, because originally
there never were horses in southern Africa. They were first imported by
Europeans in the 17th century. Therefore the Wild Horses of the Namib
are the descendants of domesticated animals which, similar to the
mustangs of North America, have adopted a feral existence
.
Survival in the Namib Desert: The adaptation of the Namib’s Wild Horses to their habitat is not
genetically evident. Reports about extraordinary resilience may safely be
relegated to the realm of myth as well: many of the animals which were caught during the drought of 1992 and taken to farms succumbed to horse-sickness and other ailments. Adaptation can rather be seen in their behaviour: patterns of feeding and drinking, resting and playing match available grazing and prevailing temperatures.
Work' and 'Leisure' During dry conditions, when grazing becomes scarce, the horses basically have to ‘work’ for the quantity of nutrients they need. Then they cover vast distances, feed wherever possible and rarely play. Visits to the drinking trough are put off for as long as possible.
'Dung as Supplement: Apart from grass the Wild Horses also eat their own dry dung. This does not mean that they are desperate - it is natural behaviour, also seen in domestic horses if they have access to dry dung. The dung of the Wild Horses contains almost three times more fat (1.99 percent) than the area’s dry grass (Stipagrostis obtusa – 0.7 percent) and almost twice as much protein (6.1 instead of 3.1 percent). Since horses are no ruminants, eating dung is the only way to absorb nutrients which have been excreted undigested and in concentrated form. The dung, however, is merely a supplement; less than 1 kg of dung is eaten for every 7 kg of grass. Thus there is no danger of harmful substances accumulating in the horse’s system.
Breeding groups and bachelors: The Wild Horses have a complex social structure. The core of the herd is made up by so-called breeding groups which consist of up to 10 animals – usually one or two stallions, several mares and their foals. Other stallions form casual bachelor groups. In normal years the age and gender structure is about 70 adult to 30 young animals of up to 5 years, 55 stallions to 45 mares and 50 group stallions to 50 bachelors. The Wild Horses have a complex social structure. The core of the herd is made up by so-called breeding groups which consist of up to 10 animals – usually one or two stallions, several mares and their foals. Other stallions form casual bachelor groups. In normal years the age and gender structure is about 70 adult to 30 young animals of up to 5 years, 55 stallions to 45 mares and 50 group stallions to 50 bachelors.
Ladies' Choice: Hierarchies are not very prominent; fights are rare, and if they do occur they are usually just for show. The reason: there is hardly any competition. To a large extent food is scattered evenly in the vastness of the Namib; water is available in sufficient quantities and the horses are drawn to it at different times. And fighting for females is of little consequence because in the social order of horses the ladies take their pick: without a mare's permission a stallion stands no chance.
