Pasture quality significantly affects horse welfare through nutrition, movement opportunities, and social expression. Year-round pasture management balances horse welfare with land sustainability.
Pasture access is central to equine welfare - it enables natural grazing behavior, social interaction, movement, and the expression of exploration behaviors. Horses kept without pasture access show higher rates of stereotypic behaviors, gastric ulcers, and respiratory problems from dusty indoor environments. However, unmanaged pasture can become welfare-negative - mud, inadequate grazing, toxic plants, and laminitis risk all compromise welfare. The welfare goal is thoughtful management that provides horses with safe, productive pasture throughout as much of the year as possible.