Box rest - strict confinement to a stable - is frequently prescribed for injured horses. The welfare implications of confinement for an animal evolved for constant movement require careful management.
Box rest imposes significant welfare costs on horses that are biologically adapted for continuous movement. The gastric acid production of horses is continuous and designed for near-constant buffering by forage - extended periods without grazing causes gastric ulcer development. Psychological confinement stress manifests as increased vigilance, stereotypic behaviors, and difficulty returning to normal behavior after release. The longer the confinement period, the more significant the behavioral welfare costs. Managing box rest welfare requires balancing the veterinary necessity of limiting movement against the physiological need for mental stimulation, appropriate feeding management and social contact. Horse owners often underestimate the psychological impact of confinement on animals whose every physiological system is adapted for movement.