Horses are highly social animals with complex dominance hierarchies that must be managed carefully in domestic settings to prevent aggression and ensure all horses have access to resources.
Horse social welfare depends on both the quality of companions and the management of shared resources. Subordinate horses in competitive feeding situations may be chronically underfed despite adequate provision. Social isolation — single horse keeping — is a significant welfare compromise that increases stress behaviour and stereotypies. New introductions should be managed gradually with adequate space and multiple resource points to minimise aggression. The welfare case for horses having compatible social companions is strong across all settings.