Mustangs | Spirit of the Shrinking West, National Geographic magazine: Wild Stallions Chase Sexually Maturing Males

As evening slips into darkness, a stallion chases a maturing colt from the band in South Steens Mountain in the high desert near Frenchglen, Oregon. As young studs mature, they begin to challenge stallions for dominance and show interest in the mares as they come into season. It is believed that the young males are driven away at this point, to prevent a challenge as well as inbreeding. If aggressive enough, a young stud may find a mare to mate with and they will begin their own band. More often, the stud joins up with other males to form a bachelor band.

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