The wild horses are fun to watch and film, especially the fighting of the mature stallions. However, leadership of each band of horses is provided by an experienced female that rose in the ranks based on age and experience. And, like the stallions that fight for the right to breed, the lead mare must maintain her position sometimes with force against other mares, and often, the ranking stallion.

As leader of a family band, she knows where to find water and the best places to graze in any season along with providing a watchful eye for any perceived threat to her herd.