Each group is sticking close for safety, even though none of them are complete. Some have more mares, others have more foals, and a few are missing key horses that were separated during the panic. Foals stay close to whichever adults they end up with, unsure and quick to follow. There’s no clear leader right now. Movement is slow and cautious, with groups stopping often and reacting to sounds or movement around them. The horses call out to each other, especially near the lake and common grazing spots, trying to locate the rest of the herd.

Right now, everything is about getting back together. The smaller groups drift toward familiar areas, drawn by habit and each other. Some reunions happen easily, others come with tension as horses re-establish order. The Coyote Lake herd is still there—just scattered, unsettled, and trying to become whole again.

Important Links

Sign-Ups - You're here!

Discussion - TBA

RP Thread - TBA

1. Follow Horse Eden’s Site Rules.
All official site rules apply first, including conduct, content limits, and character guidelines.

2. Semi-literate writing only.
This is a semi-literate group. Posts should be clear, developed, and at least two solid paragraphs per reply. No one-liners. Give others something to respond to.

3. No powerplaying or godmodding.
Do not control another player’s horse without permission. Fights, injuries, and major outcomes must be discussed and agreed on OOC beforehand.

4. Keep it realistic.
These are wild horses in Oregon. No fantasy traits, no unnatural abilities, and no surviving extreme injuries without realistic consequences.

5. Injuries & death require discussion.
Permanent injury or death must be agreed on by all involved players before it happens.

6. Stay respectful OOC.
No drama in the thread. If there’s an issue, handle it privately or contact a moderator if needed.

7. Activity expectations.
If your horse holds a leadership role or is central to a current plot, please stay reasonably active. If you’ll be inactive, give notice so the story can continue smoothly.

8. Foals & breeding.
Foals must make sense genetically and timeline-wise. Communicate clearly with the other player involved before planning anything.

Herd Laws: (Post Attack)

1. Foals First.
Foals stay in the center of whatever group they’re in. No wandering. Any adult may discipline a foal that strays too far.

2. No unnecessary fighting.
While the herd is divided, stallions are expected to limit serious challenges. Small disputes happen, but major fights weaken the group and attract predators.

3. Stay within calling distance.
Groups should remain close enough to hear one another. Full separation from the main herd is discouraged unless forced.

4. Regroup at water.
Coyote Lake is the primary meeting point. All separated groups are expected to drift back toward the lake unless safety forces them elsewhere.

5. Shared protection.
Predators are now a proven threat. Any cougar sighting must be met with immediate warning calls and tightening of formation.

6. Leadership is provisional.
Until a new lead mare rises, decisions are shared among the strongest and most experienced mares in each group. Stallions guard and defend but do not overrule herd movement without reason.

7. Outsiders are watched.
New horses approaching during this unstable time will be treated cautiously. Acceptance is not immediate.

Other Animals: Deer, pronghorn, rabbits, squirrels | Birds like quail, ravens, meadowlarks | Occasional snakes and lizards | Insects bother foals and adults

Weather: Late spring mild days and cool nights | Summer hot and dry | Occasional rain in spring | Fall windy and dry | Winter cold with frost and occasional snow.

.

Herd Heirarchy:

Lead Mare (10–18 years, deceased) – The herd’s guide. She decides when to move, where to graze, and keeps everyone together. Horses trust her judgment and rely on her presence.

Lead Stallion (8–15 years) – Protects the herd, especially foals and mares on the edges. He sired all the foals in the herd, so his presence is key. This can create tension with other stallions who may want mates or dominance. He enforces order and reacts quickly to predators or threats.

Supporting Mares (8–16 years) – Experienced mares who guide foals, keep the herd cohesive, and step up if the lead mare is away. Most of the foals in the herd are born to these mares, so they are central to the herd’s reproduction and continuity.

Secondary Stallions (5–12 years) – Younger or lower-ranking males who stay on the outskirts, protecting mares and foals. They avoid direct challenges to the lead stallion while he is strong, but tensions can appear if they linger too close to mares or try to assert dominance.

Yearlings (1–2 years) – Young males and females learning herd life. They test boundaries, play a lot, and follow older horses’ examples.

Elders (18+ years) – Older horses respected for experience. They may not run as far or fight as hard but help maintain stability and sometimes guide younger horses.

Foals (0–1 year) – All sired by the lead stallion. They stay in the center of the herd, protected by adults, mainly their dams (supporting mares) and surrounding adults.