Welfare Needs of a Horse

Nearly all husbandry systems impose restrictions on stock. And some can cause an unacceptable degree of discomfort or distress by preventing horses or ponies from fulfilling their basic needs.

This includes:

• Ready accessible fresh water and an appropriate diet to maintain health and vigor
• The prevention (or rapid diagnosis and treatment) of vice, injury, parasitic infestation and disease
• Adequate comfort and shelter; freedom from stress or fear
• Freedom of movement ant the opportunity to exercise most normal patterns of behavior
• The company of other animals (particularly of like kind)

Whatever constraints a system imposes, it is essential that that in all circumstances these basic needs are met. For example, if a horse or pony is stabled for long periods they should still be taken out and given adequate, appropriate daily exercise

Horses, being gregarious animals, prefer to live in social groups; they also appear to enjoy human contact. If kept on their own, they require more frequent human contact and supervision.

Horses should always be treated as individuals, even when kept in large groups. When forming new groups, care should be taken to avoid fighting and stress, particularly if adult animals are mixed. Although large groups can be managed successfully. In general the greater the number of horses kept; the greater the degree of competence needed to safe guard the animal’s welfare.