The permanent retention of an unmarked horse has been the subject of discussion in various media outlets in recent weeks. A lack of social contact can lead to “chronic stress.” The Equine Sector Council, of which the LTO is a member, agrees. But it also states that good animal welfare is more than that.
Why this interest?
Animal Working Groups are calling for attention to this topic. For example, Dier & Recht talks about “solitary confinement”. Because in their eyes this leads to chronic stress, the organization wants to ban keeping horses in isolation. This ban already exists in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. In the Netherlands, one in five horses owned by an individual would be kept in such isolation.
How does this work in practice?
Research by the Federation of Dutch Riding Centers (FNRS), the KNHS Equestrian Association, the Royal Warmblood Horse Stud Book of the Netherlands (KWPN) and LTO shows that 76 percent of horse owners indicate that horses are kept in a meadow or paddock with their peers.
Only 1.7% of horse owners indicated that there was no social, visual or physical contact between the horses in their stables. The survey was conducted on three thousand respondents.
What does the sector think of this?
The Equine Sector Council (SRP) is pleased that many horses in our country have the opportunity to socialize with their peers. SRP also encourages horse owners to bring horses out of social isolation. It is important to monitor the complete well-being of the horse; The Sector Council notes that good animal welfare is about more than just housing horses together
What else is important?
Every horse owner has an obligation to keep, care for, and properly house horses. This is outlined in the sector council’s good practice guide. This also relates, for example, to exercise, feeding, housing, the way a particular type of horse is used, and sleeping and resting behaviour.
Is this possible with group housing?
Group housing, where horses are kept in a group—often somewhat larger—is beneficial for exercise and social behaviour. This is considered ideal by some.
Swedish research shows that social behavior can also cause a disturbed sleep pattern. The horses wake each other up and force each other to move every 10 minutes. Italian research shows that it promotes sleep when horses spend the night in an individual stable that is largely protected from environmental influences.
The Sector Council considers it important to look at whole wellbeing and not focus on just a few aspects. Then other aspects of luxury can be forgotten.
