Understanding the natural behaviour of horses challenges many traditional husbandry practices and points toward welfare improvements.
Horse welfare in domestic settings often fails to meet the standards their natural behaviour demands. Individual stabling, restricted grazing, high-concentrate diets fed twice daily, and enforced social isolation all represent significant departures from evolved needs. The welfare consequences — stereotypies, gastric ulcers, heightened fear responses, and social anxiety — are well-documented. Progressive horse management approaches — track systems for continuous movement, appropriate social grouping, ad-lib forage provision — address root causes rather than symptoms.