Companion Animals

Box Rest and Equine Welfare Management

Box rest is prescribed for injured horses but requires careful management to minimise welfare harm from confinement and movement restriction.

Key Facts

Box rest prevents movement that could worsen injuries but causes significant welfare costs
Horses confined to boxes show elevated cortisol and stereotypic behaviours within days
Digestive problems including colic risk increase with enforced box rest
Controlled hand walking provides welfare benefit during recovery periods
Gradual return to turnout requires careful management to prevent re-injury from exuberance

Welfare Considerations

Box rest creates a welfare dilemma: confinement prevents injury but causes psychological and physical harm from restriction of movement and social contact. Management strategies that mitigate these costs, including stable toys, hay ad libitum, window views of other horses, and controlled hand walking where permitted, significantly improve welfare during enforced rest periods.

What You Can Do

Provide ad libitum hay and stable enrichment for horses on box rest
Maintain visual contact with other horses where possible during confinement
Arrange controlled hand walking if permitted by the treating veterinarian
Monitor for signs of colic, stable vices, and stereotypic behaviour development
Plan gradual return to turnout and exercise following veterinary guidance