Horses occupy a unique position as both working animals and companions. Their welfare needs across work contexts — agriculture, sport, therapy, and leisure — span a wide range of conditions.
Horse welfare exists on a spectrum from excellent to severely inadequate. Horses in quality livery with daily turnout, social contact, appropriate work levels, and good veterinary care live well. Horses in solitary stabling, heavy work without recovery time, or in racing systems with extreme breeding and training pressure suffer significantly. The welfare of horses slaughtered for meat is particularly compromised by long transport to slaughter facilities without adequate water, food, or rest. Retirement planning for working and sport horses is a growing welfare concern as the number of neglected and abandoned horses has risen.