Document type : Article published on the website of VetHelpDirect (UK)
Author: Sarah Hunter
Preview: Owning a horse can bring a lot of joy but it can be a big responsibility. Particularly when it comes to ensuring that all of their needs are met. As well as protecting your horse from pain and suffering, it is important for them to have friends, adequate forage, and the freedom to display natural behaviours ("the 3Fs"). These factors are not only required to support their physical and mental wellbeing but are also specified by law in the Animal Welfare Act.
Freedom - the ability to roam
In the wild, horses would be free to roam for hundreds of miles. Although we cannot mimic this lifestyle we should provide as much turnout as possible; allowing the horse to graze and socialise with others. […]
All stabled horses should have daily turnout or exercise, unless your vet has recommended box rest following an injury. Full-time stabling is not a long-term solution for a horse and abnormal behaviours [...] may be seen if they do not have the freedom to carry out their normal activities. […]
Friends - companionship with other horses
Horses are sociable creatures. In the wild, they would live in large groups or herds. Therefore, we should do what we can to replicate this by turning them out with horses that they have formed an established group or bond with. […]
Drilling - access to food and water
Forage provides fibre that is essential for the horse's gut health, reducing the risk of diseases such as gastric ulcers. It should make up the majority of the horse's diet and can be provided through grass, hay, haylage or grass replacement products such as grass pellets. Horses are trickle feeders, meaning that they eat little and often and this should be replicated if the horse cannot be turned out to graze for a period of time.
Further information
Further information on the aspects of animal welfare recognised under the law can be found in the online government booklet titled Code of practice for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids.