Social determinants of affiliation and cohesion in a population of feral horses

Investigating affiliative behaviors (e.g. proximity, grooming, cooperative behaviors) is essential to understand group cohesion and stability in animal societies, as they may foster, or be fostered by long-term social bonds ultimately determine an individual’s lifetime reproductive success. Despite growing interest across a wide range of mammalian taxa, little focus has been given feral horse populations. In this study, we examined the influence dyadic factors (sex, rank difference, familiarity genetic relatedness) on cohesion. We collected data 16 groups Northern Portugal who were subjected both predation pressures anthropogenic interference. A combination all occurrence sampling methods drone technology was used record horses’ behavior spatial data. Same-sex dyads showed preference remain close however did not groom frequently different-sex dyads. Similar individuals observed proximity more often than non-similar individuals, but only newly formed groups. Familiar spent time groomed unfamiliar (new) However, affiliation between conspecifics predicted relatedness. These results suggest that are mostly sustained familiar stable While maintaining function sustain same-sex grooming reinforce intra-sexual inter-sexual bonds. Examining variation patterns populations shed light their behavioral plasticity have crucial implications for welfare conservation breeds. • Application novel technique horses. Investigation at population level. Familiarity sex homophily main Genetic relatedness predict population. Affiliation with similar affected stability.