Conclusions after 15 years
The horses quickly adapted to grazing the local vegetation and resisting the harsh weather conditions of the Causse Méjean. However, at the outset some behaviours were clearly non-adapted: violent fights between stallions and infanticide hindered development of the herd. Fortunately these traits disappeared after a couple of years and growth improved:
Horses learn social relationships as they grow up in their family group. The generations born at Le Villaret therefore behave in a more "natural" way than the horses that came from zoos. In addition, confrontations between stallions now consist of rituals based on intimidation rather than physical contact. This saves useless effort and dangerous blows. Disappearance of individuals with congenital malformations also proved the utility of a more natural selection.
The conditions available to the horses therefore seem to have eliminated some behavioural and hereditary defects.
In addition, offspring of the second Le Villaret generation reintroduced to Mongolia have adapted very well to their new "Asian life".