Pasture access is fundamental to equine welfare, satisfying behavioral needs for movement, social interaction, foraging, and sensory engagement that stable environments cannot replicate.
Pasture access for horses is frequently restricted beyond what welfare requires due to concerns about laminitis, injury, and management convenience. While laminitis is a genuine welfare concern for susceptible individuals in high-sugar grass conditions, complete exclusion from turnout causes welfare problems that often exceed laminitis risk. Strip grazing, track systems, and managed turnout allow horses to graze safely while reducing laminitis exposure. The evidence consistently shows that horses with more pasture access have better welfare outcomes across physical and behavioral measures. The equine industry culture of intensive training and restricted turnout creates welfare compromises that are often normalized within the sector.