Horses are highly social animals that experience significant welfare compromise when isolated from conspecifics, even when they have human contact and companionship of other species.
Equine social welfare is frequently compromised because horses are kept in individual paddocks and stables rather than groups, often due to management convenience or owner preference rather than equine welfare considerations. The welfare cost of isolation is real and measurable through physiological and behavioural indicators. Group turnout and social contact opportunities are welfare necessities rather than optional management choices. Where multiple horses cannot be kept, companion animals including donkeys or miniature horses provide partial social fulfilment. Human contact is valuable but does not substitute for conspecific social interaction.