Horses evolved as wide-ranging social grazers, and the practice of keeping them in individual stables for extended periods conflicts with their fundamental behavioural needs.
Conventional stabling practices are increasingly recognised as incompatible with equine welfare. Restricting horses to individual boxes for 20+ hours per day denies them movement, social contact, and the ability to graze continuously — needs that are deeply rooted in their evolutionary history. Stereotypies, gastric ulcers, and musculoskeletal problems are predictable consequences. Track systems, group housing with shelter, and ad libitum forage access all represent evidence-based improvements. Changing traditional equine management requires both owner education and cultural shift within horse communities.