Horses are social herd animals whose welfare in solitary keeping or poorly managed social groups is significantly compromised, yet solo horse ownership remains common worldwide.
The welfare of companion horses hinges on recognizing them as social animals first and individual property second. A horse kept alone, even in a large field with attentive human care, is missing the continuous social contact that equine psychology requires. Behavioral problems — weaving, cribbing, wood chewing, aggression at feeding — are often direct expressions of social and environmental deprivation rather than individual 'vices.' Welfare-conscious ownership means ensuring social housing, sufficient forage and movement, and the behavioral freedoms to express normal equine behavior.