Horses are highly social animals that suffer when isolated. Research demonstrates that social housing improves horse welfare, reduces problem behaviours, and can be managed safely on most premises.
Horses are social animals for whom isolation is genuinely stressful. The chronic low-level suffering of a lone horse in a stable is often invisible to owners who normalise stereotypies. Evidence shows that horses in appropriate social groups are calmer, healthier and require less management for behaviour problems. The equestrian industry needs to take social needs as seriously as physical health.