Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Stable Management Welfare Checklist

A systematic approach to stable welfare management ensures all key welfare needs are met consistently across the year.

Key Facts

Hay availability throughout stabling is the single most impactful welfare provision
Minimum stabling space is 3.6m x 3.6m for a 16hh horse but larger is better
Visual contact with other horses reduces isolation stress significantly
Bedding quality affects lying time, limb hygiene, and psychological comfort
Daily exercise is essential to compensate for restricted movement during stabling

Welfare Considerations

Good stable management requires systematic attention to multiple welfare factors simultaneously. A checklist approach ensures that forage, space, social contact, exercise, and bedding are all adequate and consistently maintained.

What You Can Do

Implement a daily stable welfare checklist covering all key welfare areas
Maximize turnout time to reduce the welfare compromise of stabling
Provide hay ad libitum during all stabling periods to allow continuous natural foraging behavior