09/05/2025
FUN FACT FRIDAY
DOES MANAGEMENT HAVE AN IMPACT ON EQUINE BEHAVIOUR?
One of the first things I do as an Equine Behaviour Consultant when dealing with a behaviour issue is look at the horses daily management. Often it can seem strange to go straight to this (after checking veterinary checks have taken place), however, it can really be the difference between a happy and an unhappy horse!
Behavioural issues within horses can be extremely complex and have multiple causes that are usually deep-rooted. It is unfair of us to expect our horses to display typical horse behaviour when they shut in a stable for the majority of the day and if they are turned out, this is typically alone. Horses are herd animals and they find safety in being with other horses.
You will have heard the phrase Friends, Freedom and Forage. This phrase was first established by Lauren Fraser a wonderful equine behaviourist! It is now a commonly used phrase within the equine industry, but what does it actually mean?
The 3 F's are a base line for good welfare. It is by no means the only factors to consider, but it does highlight some of the most important.
Friends - ensuring our horses have access to touch, interact and relax with other horses.
Freedom - the freedom to move around, this does not include riding. Horses must have access to plenty of free exercise within an appropriate sized paddock.
Forage - horses should have ad-lib forage as they are designed to be trickle feeders and keep a constant supply of forage moving through their digestive tract. There is plenty we can do to allow this to still be the case for horses that are prone to metabolic health conditions and weight gain.
Research has shown us that paddock size can have an impact on horses stress levels. Cortisol levels and agnostic behaviours (kicking, chasing etc.) and low-level threats (pinned ears, bite and kick threats etc.) were significantly increased when horses were in a smaller paddock compared to a larger one. Providing at least 342 m2 per horse may reduce the chance of injury in horses accustomed to group turnout (Sugaee-Bedore et al., 2021).
Injury is a common concern when considering turnout options, and often the reason that many horses only receive individual turnout. Research has shown that regular turnout in large paddocks decreased the risk of musculoskeletal injury by 24%. The use of a 2-acre paddock compared to a 1-acre paddock reduced the risk of injury by 14% (Mouncey et al., 2023). Suggesting that we need to have appropriate sized paddocks for the horses we have in them!
It is vital that we meet our horses basic needs in order for them to live happy and fulfilled lives, as well as preventing behavioural issues occurring.
Photo by Jessica Grange Photography
References:
Suagee-Bedore, J, K. Linden, D, R. Bennett-Wimbush, K. (2021) Effect of Pen Size on Stress Responses of Stall-Housed Horses Receiving One Hour of Daily Turnout. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 98, pp. 103366.
Mouncey, R. Arango-Sabogal, J, C. Mestre, A, D. Verheyen, K, L. (2023) Associations between turn out practices and rates of musculoskeletal disease and injury in Thoroughbred foals and yearlings on stud farms in the United Kingdom. Equine Veterinary Journal. 56 (5), pp. 892-901.
