Working Animals

Horse Field Management for Welfare

Field management affects horse welfare through grass quality, companionship provision, and access to shelter and water.

Key Facts

Laminitis-prone horses should not have access to spring grass above 10 cm in height
Horses should have minimum 0.5 hectares per animal for individual welfare needs
Rubber mats at gateways reduce the mud-related skin disease pastern dermatitis
Electric fencing allows flexible strip grazing that maintains grass quality year-round

Welfare Considerations

Field management is inseparable from horse welfare because outdoor access provides the exercise, foraging, and social contact that indoor housing cannot replicate. Poor field management creates welfare problems through mud, parasites, insufficient grass, and social incompatibility. The investment in good field management prevents expensive veterinary problems and provides better welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Manage grass length for laminitis-prone horses or ponies throughout the year
Ensure adequate field shelter with sufficient size for all horses to use simultaneously
Maintain rubber mats or track systems at high-use gateway areas
Rotate horses between paddocks to allow grass recovery and parasite management