Wild horses gather to mourn the death of mare who died birthing her foal

20
65
Spread the love

In an extremely sad yet heartwarming video, a herd of horses are shown gathering around a dead mare who died giving birth to a foal, as if both mourning her death and expressing their final respects.

On the Facebook page of the  Salt River Wild Horse Management Group,  the video shows separate bands of wild horses, along the Salt River in Arizona, lining up as they slowly walk by the body of a two-year-old dun mare referred to as Clydette. The mare died after her foal became stuck in the birth canal during delivery. The organization rushed their veterinarian out to the area to help, but by the time they arrived, Clydette had gone into septic shock and died – the foal also dying because she was just stuck too long.

As the veterinarian team moved away from Clydette’s breathless body, her band arrived and nuzzled her, after which the roan, her lead stallion, cried out for her very loudly. Shortly after that, they moved away from her body, but stayed close. Other bands heard and somehow knew exactly where the mare was and what had occurred:

“What happened next was amazing; the other bands stood in line taking turns saying their goodbyes. First one band, then another. Then the two lead stallions of those two bands got into a short power struggle. Then you can see how Clydette’s lead stallion comes running back one last time letting out a short scream in a last effort to protect her, or perhaps to tell everyone that she was his.”

“It takes a most highly intelligent species to understand and actually mourn death. We have seen bands mourn their losses before, but for other bands to come and mourn her death also was simply awe inspiring. These animals have evolved to have amazing survival skills and very close and protective family bonds. In this natural behavior, lies true scientific value.”

This video was taken after her own band had walked away, approximately 30 minutes after she died. Many thanks to the person who called in this emergency.

Rest in peace Clydette and little Tootie.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group is an Arizona based non profit Organization (501c3), set up to protect and preserve the Salt River Wild Horses. To donate, please click here.

(Photo and video of wild horses gather courtesy of Salt River Wild Horse Management)

Watch the video here. Draw your own conclusions as to the horses reactions.

https://www.facebook.com/saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup/videos/1281451018604320/


Spread the love

20 COMMENTS

    • They are both on their way to rainbow bridge theyvwerectrulyvlived shoen in the video furries of all types hsve more sensitivies than some or most humans

  1. Why are human beings so surprised by the fact that animals are so in tune with each time other? Animals understand the death of one of their own on a very basic level and mourne their dead! We don’t have the exclusive on the ability to feel sadness and to mourne our dead!

    • Perhaps Kathleen unlike you many of us haven’t witnessed first hand of animals exhibiting the mourning of one of their own. Only through the internet and watching PBS I have learned more of what emotions animals do exhibit.

  2. And humans are supposed to be the “intelligent” ones. Animals prove every day as a species, humans are lacking in common decency and compassion. Rest in peace sweet Clydette you and your baby are together running at the Rainbow Bridge.

  3. The people that took the video were not aware the Mare was delivering ??? They just came too late ? Very hard to believe !
    It’s quite obvious animals have feeling, dreams heartbreaks etc . Humans are not the most intelligent beings !!!! Humans are destroying the planet . Humans will be wiped out ! Thank God !

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here