Horses are social animals whose wellbeing depends on appropriate group living. Understanding equine social behaviour enables better management that respects natural herd dynamics.
Equine social welfare requires recognising that horses evolved in stable social groups and that disruption of these groups causes genuine psychological distress. The commercial horse industry frequently disrupts established social bonds through sales, loan arrangements, competition movement, and seasonal management changes that would be deeply stressful from an animal welfare perspective. Welfare-conscious management maintains social stability where possible, introduces new animals carefully, and provides adequate resources at multiple locations to reduce competition. The social needs of horses include not just the presence of other horses but stable relationships with compatible companions. Providing only the physical presence of horses without stable social access, such as housing horses in adjacent but non-contact stalls, fails to meet the social welfare need.