Horses are highly social animals whose welfare is severely compromised by isolation from conspecifics. Understanding this need and finding solutions is fundamental to equine welfare.
Horse isolation welfare is a significant and underacknowledged problem. Many horses spend 20+ hours per day alone in stables, viewing but not touching or grooming other horses. This is profoundly contrary to their social nature and causes chronic stress. The stereotype that horses 'just need' food, water, and exercise underestimates the welfare significance of social contact. Any welfare framework for horses must include social housing provisions - at minimum, turnout with other horses for significant portions of each day. Where individual management is temporarily necessary (quarantine, injury recovery), additional enrichment and human social contact can partially compensate.