Horses requiring box rest for injury recovery face significant welfare challenges from confinement that requires active management to prevent psychological harm.
Extended box rest causes significant psychological stress in horses - animals that naturally travel many kilometers per day are confined to a space of approximately 12 square meters. The frustration of confinement drives stereotypy development, aggression, and anxiety that can persist after the physical reason for box rest has resolved. Horses in box rest may experience more psychological suffering than physical pain from their injury. Active management through increased social contact, mental stimulation, and hand grazing within restrictions dramatically improves welfare during this difficult period. Owner and trainer compliance with rest requirements is often poor - creating a dilemma between welfare of movement restriction and welfare of injury progression.