Access to appropriate shelter is a fundamental welfare requirement for horses kept at pasture, particularly during extreme weather.
Field shelter welfare for horses is affected by both the physical shelter provided and the social dynamics that determine who can access it. A single small shelter for a group of horses may result in dominant individuals monopolizing access while subordinate horses remain exposed. Shelter positioning relative to prevailing weather, orientation, and sizing relative to group size all affect whether shelter actually provides welfare benefit. Dense hedgerows and copses that create natural windbreaks and rain shelter provide welfare benefits that complement or exceed those of artificial shelters, while also providing additional shade and browse opportunity. Bare, exposed paddocks without any shelter represent a welfare deficit that owners must address through investment in appropriate shelter provision.