Twins of different mothers. by D.B. Young

D.B. Young | all galleries >> Galleries >> Onaqui wild horses in Utah's west desert. > Twins of different mothers.

Twins of different mothers.

Yes, these two mustang colts are identical. And they are within days of the same age. They share the same stallion as a father and are born of different mothers. Being born of mothers in the same harem, they are free to play together. This is unusual because the stallion does not normally allow his mare's young to play with other colts outside of his own harem.

They look so much alike, identically colored even to the light blue eye color.

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Val Stephens		28-Jul-2014 21:47
I first saw these 2 cremellos when they were young colts. At first I thought they were albinos, but a vet friend of mine set me straight. I have never seen them apart. I call them Al and Bino, they live in a herd of about 50 others west of the Simpson range, separate from the Onaqui herd.

Val Stephens		07-Aug-2013 16:32
These horses appear to be Albinos that I first saw about 3/4 years ago. While I have seen them with the main herd at times, for the most part, they are seen by themselves. lately I have seen them with 2 black stallions...A new bachelor group?

patty		19-Apr-2012 11:03
they are so cute.

D.B. Young		18-Aug-2011 12:50
Yes, these two colts share the same father stallion and run in the same band of wild horses. This situation makes this photo unusual because colts of different bands sired by different stallions are not normally able to play with each other, the band stallion keeps his mares and colts in a very tight group......away from the other bands. Only the young in the same band are able to play freely. All of the actions of a harem of mares and their offspring are dominated by the dominant male. A mare or colt that steps away too far will be punished. Body language displayed by the male or mother will bring the offender back, but a powerful bite is the ultimate punishment. The horses are extremely social animals with a very structured order that is always enforced.

Gram		18-Aug-2011 08:34
You have some awesome and magnificent photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We cannot say enough of your beautiful art work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However, my granddaughter asked me about this contradiction here. First you say they are from the same group and of course they can play together. Then you state "this is unusual because the stallion does not normally allow his mare's young to play with other colts OUTSIDE (?) of his harem. So, are they from the same harem? Or not. Lets not confuse the kiddies.

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