Horses are obligate social animals whose welfare is fundamentally compromised by isolation, and management systems should prioritize appropriate social contact.
Equine social welfare is one of the most frequently compromised aspects of domestic horse management. Individual stabling without social contact denies fundamental social needs. Systems that frequently mix groups cause repeated aggression and social stress as hierarchies are re-established. Maintaining stable groups once formed provides the social security horses need. Turnout in compatible pairs or small groups provides better welfare than individual paddocking. When horses must be separated temporarily for veterinary reasons, providing visual and auditory contact with herd members reduces isolation stress. Management systems that balance human requirements for individual housing with adequate social contact represent the welfare-optimal approach for most domestic horse scenarios.