Grazing on pasture meets multiple welfare needs for horses simultaneously, including nutrition, exercise, social contact, and natural behaviour expression.
Restriction of pasture access for laminitis management must be balanced against other welfare needs for movement, social contact, and natural behaviour. Stabling without daily turnout causes stereotypic behaviour and musculoskeletal problems. Alternative management approaches including track systems and controlled grazing can provide movement and behaviour opportunities for laminitis-prone animals.