All horse owners dream of beautiful barns, arenas, and paddocks, but equine behavior and welfare leaders are urging them to open up their barns, rethink time spent in box stalls, link their paddocks, and let horses be horses—together.

Building a Dream Barn

Constructing an ideal horse farm has usually focused on improved ventilation, energy efficiency, safe flooring, buoyant footing, and green paddocks with horse-friendly fencing. But now experts remind us that those are our goals. What would our horses want in the way of a perfect farm?

The first thing to realize is that a one-size-fits-all vision can never apply to horsekeeping, whether it’s the dream of a human or a horse. Every property is different, just as every horse owner’s goals and budget are different. However, what your horse wants and needs may be well within your budget.

Horse owners want their horses to be safe, above all else. Some would say that they want their horses to be safe and happy, but how people define a happy horse is subjective. Equine behavior research from universities around the world has grown into an impressive body of peer-reviewed literature.

We want horses to fit into our lives, but we also want to find ways to stop their cribbing, weaving, and aggression problems. Now we are being asked to solve problems by changing the way horses are managed and housed.

Natural boarding and natural horsekeeping have been established alternatives for many years, but now they have research on their side. Horse owners are also realizing that incorporating social-friendly aspects into their management schemes yields great payoffs without having to make a huge investment all at once, or without sacrificing some aspects of their traditional setups.

Group Housing in Equine Behavior Research

Today’s equine behavior research is looking closely at the way we confine horses in individual stalls. Especially in Europe, researchers are questioning the use of stalls at all. A long tradition exists there called “group housing,” especially for horses used in breeding.

If group housing doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because its roots are European. More than 30 scientific studies have been conducted on horses stabled indoors living in communal groups instead of in individual stalls. Ten new studies have been published since the pandemic began, with more expected.

At the majestic Spanish Riding School breeding farm in Piber, Austria, visitors are often shocked to see a dozen or more mares living together under a common roof, sometimes called “lying halls” in Europe, with their foals at their sides. These valuable animals live quietly together, with little aggression. Barn workers walk among the horses.

Moreover, when it comes time to move the mares to a huge pasture to graze each day, 30 or more mares and foals may be released at once, together. They gallop together, without aggression, through a narrow roadway to the field that waits for them.

U.S.-Based Solutions

So, should you “quit stalling?” Turning horses out together can make most horse owners nervous. Americans probably aren’t ready to make the leap to Euro-style group housing, but plenty can be done in traditional barns to make stables more aligned with welfare principles and equine behavior preferences.

In America, horses often live solo lives. They often spend more time with people than with other horses. A recent trend to build run-out pens out from individual stalls has been accepted as progress, but critics say they are not enough. Horses can see each other, but often cannot touch or groom each other.

Researchers like Australian equine behaviorist Andrew McLean caution that visual contact is not enough. What really matters, he says, is that a horse be able to socialize with a compatible horse in the stall or pen next to it.

Horses require movement, but they also crave, and may even require, direct physical proximity to other horses, according to McLean, who presented some simple ideas for updating stable designs in a webinar for World Horse Welfare in March 2022. Entitled “Can a stabled horse truly be a ‘happy’ horse?” the webinar explored the welfare and behavior aspects of horses in stalls and compared ideal farm designs with realistic ones.

McLean, like others, is cautious about endorsing a switch to group stalls, at least until or unless the herd’s dynamics are established. Safety is a great concern, since open-barn living often cannot provide cover for a horse that needs protection from aggression, especially at feeding time.

Also at risk are humans who may need to enter the common area and move among horses. In Europe, new designs of feeders and watering systems for group-housed horses are making news in barn design.

Social Box Stalls

For some time, stable design has focused on both better air circulation and facilitation of visual contact between horses, especially through using sight-friendly upper bars between stalls. McLean showed examples of the next level of this option from an Australian architect who has created curved bar dividers allowing horses to touch between stalls. Some have sliding bar windows that can be closed if aggression is a problem.

According to McLean and many of his colleagues, the “social box stall” is an idea whose time has come.

McLean related the experience of a racehorse training facility in Australia where old brick walls between stalls were crumbling in places, creating unintentional social opportunities between horses in adjacent stalls. According to McLean, Thoroughbreds returning to their stalls from work would go directly to the broken wall and touch and sniff the horse next door.

Building a better horse farm may be a noble undertaking for an owner, but there is also the possibility of changes in horse management being mandated by equine welfare policies in the future.

Some stables have insufficient grazing and turnout for the number of horses housed, requiring horses to be turned out for only short periods of time. Working on interior changes to stalls may be an easy and relatively economical solution to relieve the stress that these horses feel in stall-bound isolation.

Human companionship, stable toys, and even stall mirrors are other methods recommended to assuage horses, although experts claim such methods are a distant second choice to horses being able to touch their companions.

As with all changes to horses’ lifestyles, gradual and calm introduction to alterations will help horses adjust if the idea of having a more social life is new to them.

Paddock Paradise

Another idea brought forward in recent years has been that a paddock can be much more than a flat, open field. It can be an interactive playground for your herd and have many healthy components to keep horses moving and engaged in therapeutic equine herd behavior.

“Paddock Paradise” is a concept put forth in a book by the same name by author Jaime Jackson, whose years of observing feral horses inspired him to incorporate aspects of their lifestyle into the pastures of American domestic horses.

Of particular interest to Jackson was using environmental components conducive to healthy feet that don’t require shoes. In the 15 years since the book’s publication, many horse owners have embraced his paradigm of active pasture life for horses, although many Americans are frustrated by limitations in the amount of land available to them.

No matter what size your paddock is, you can help your horses make the most of their turnout time. New designs for turnout hay stations and slow feeders are a basic element that were not common 20 years ago but are today.

A true Paddock Paradise is a sectioned-off track that encourages horses to keep moving. Their progress is motivated by progressive grazing and feed stations. Most owners will opt for temporary or electric fencing, so that the track can be easily modified by season or to utilize better grazing as needed.

Some horse owners cleverly add water elements or variations in footing, which may aid in hoof health, and include both shaded and sunny areas, and wider sections where horses may pause, gather, or take a nap. Another benefit is that horses can become familiar with new objects, natural obstacles like logs and ditches or changes in footing, which may pay off on the trail.

Sacrifice Areas and Strip Grazing

The flip side of a paddock paradise is the paddock that represents deprivation. Dry lot or “sacrifice” turnout is ideal for horses with problems like equine metabolic syndrome. No grass is allowed to grow in this barren space, and the horses are fed hay, often from a slow feeder.

This type of paddock is also useful as a backup when other grazing is deep in mud or has been recently seeded.

A simple practice in use on many farms has been the interconnection of existing paddocks by adding gates directly between adjacent paddocks, creating a larger common space and more chance for interaction between horses, but making smaller paddocks possible when and if needed for a new horse or special situations.

Run-in sheds are a popular and relatively economical way to provide shelter during turnout if allowing horses to live a truly independent natural lifestyle around the clock.

Another useful type of paddock planning is strip grazing to aid in weight loss and laminitis prevention, especially in spring. Simple, moveable electric fence cordons off sections of pasture so horses are gradually exposed to limited amounts of spring grass. British research has documented that horses lose weight when their grazing is restricted in this way.

These temporary electric fields can also be used in the opposite way, moving horses between good grass areas while allowing overgrazed areas to rest and grow back.

Around the World

A 2015 study compiled by World Horse Welfare and Eurogroup for Animals was designed to move forward in welfare education in the area of horse management. It addressed continuous stall confinement, lack of social interaction, and other issues to be considered. Unfortunately, the isolation years of the pandemic prevented those efforts from further development.

The following are some current horse welfare laws in place in Europe:

◆ In France, a new law requires horse owners to hold licenses.

◆ The Netherlands now judges horse welfare based on the type of horses or the number of horses on a property.

◆ Sweden is probably the country with the most equine welfare oversight by government. A Sweden’s 2007 Animal Welfare Act requires that all horses have daily exercise in paddocks that allow horses to exercise at all gaits.

◆ A British government code of practice covering group housing specifies that all horses have access to hay, feed, and water and that sufficient free space for movement be provided so that all horses can lie down at the same time, and that aggressive horses be segregated.

◆ Also in Britain, the Royal Society for the Protection of Horses recommends that horses not be housed alone in individual paddocks or pens, and that indoor stalls allow horses to both see and interact with their neighbors.

Looking Ahead on the Basis of Equine Behavior and Welfare

Look behind every barn door you can for new ideas. Extension agents, equine behaviorists, and architects may have innovative suggestions you haven’t thought of. Through the input of diligent researchers and promotion by dedicated horse welfare advocates, equine behavior-based social needs are now in the spotlight.

Just remember, where horses would like to live may not be as important to them as who they’d like to live next to. Being able to safely touch and smell familiar herd mates, both in the barn and in the pasture, is at the top of every horse’s wish list.

This article about ideal living situations for horses based on equine behavior appeared in the September 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Basing Horses’ Ideal Living Situations On Equine Behavior appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

No matter which type of muzzle you choose, it’s important to know a few things:

◆ The length of the pasture grass will affect how a muzzle works. If grass is very short, the horse’s teeth won’t be able to grasp it through the hole in the bottom of the muzzle.

◆ Horses should not wear muzzles 24/7, so a modified turnout schedule may be necessary.

◆ Muzzle use can affect herd dynamics; adjustments to turnout groups may be needed.

The original plastic basket-style grazing muzzles have seen many design upgrades to help keep them in place with less rubbing. Here’s a look at some of the different options on the market today.

Best Friend Grazing Muzzle

$39.99-$59.99; available from most online tack shops

Features:
◆ Multiple sizes available
◆ Comes with breakaway halter for improved safety
◆ Higher sides make it more difficult for horses to remove
◆ Five adjustment points
◆ Padded noseband helps prevent rubs
◆ Synthetic material deters mildew and rot

ThinLine Flexible Filly

$68.00; thinlineglobal.com

Features:
◆ Lighter and softer than other muzzles
◆ Durable yet pliable
◆ Easy on equine teeth
◆ Less restrictive of behaviors like mutual grooming
◆ Well-ventilated
◆ Size of grazing hole is customizable
◆ Has UV protection for sensitive skin
◆ Comes with six-month warranty

Green Guard

$99.95; gg-equine.com

Features:
◆ Less likely to rub
◆ Larger holes along basket allow moisture and debris to move through
◆ Multiple sizes available
◆ Drains water well after drinking
◆ Durable and lightweight
◆ Made of strong plastic material
◆ One-year warranty for breakage or wear
◆ Adjustable

Tough1 Easy Breathe

Mini to draft sizes available, $37.88-$52.88;
jtidist.com

Features:
◆ Large breathing holes for comfort
◆ Short sides offer improved airflow
◆ Bottom of muzzle is extra thick
◆ Added attachments available for ponies
◆ Can be purchased with or without attached halter

Best Friend Have a Heart Muzzle

$56.99; intrepidintl.com

Features:
◆ Adjustable noseband for hard-to-fit horses
◆ V-strap makes it harder to remove
◆ Two breakaway buckles for safety
◆ Durable

Shires Deluxe Comfort

$39.99; shop.shiresequestrian.com

Features:
◆ Cut-back design to avoid pressure points under chin
◆ Fleece padding around nose to protect delicate structures
◆ D-ring allows lead rope to be attached to muzzle
◆ Head and throat snap have anti-chafe padding
◆ Fully adjustable breakaway harness
◆ Taller sides of muzzle mean less chance for horses to remove it

Harmany Grazing Muzzle

$57.99-$98.99; shop.harmanyequine.com

Features:
◆ Crafted from strong plastic
◆ Hole size can be customized
◆ Moldable in hot water to each horse’s unique shape
◆ Lightweight and breathable
◆ Multiple sizes available
◆ Mold-resistant

This article about grazing muzzles appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Choosing a Grazing Muzzle appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Living at least part of the day in a large turnout area is a natural state for horses, one that helps maintain behavioral calm, especially when pastured with other horses.

Yet some horse owners find themselves faced with a dilemma. Despite knowing that turnout is the best thing for mental and physical health for their horses, there is often accompanying anxiety that the horse will get hurt. This leads to a horse being cooped up in prolonged confinement with all its associated problems.

How can you achieve the best lifestyle for your horse while keeping him safe and alleviating your fears about turning him out to pasture? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

The Pros of Turnout

Here are just a few of the reasons why turnout is so good for the well-being of a horse.

• Maintenance of muscle tone and coordination;
• Good blood circulation;
• Joint lubrication and cartilage development and maintenance;
• Structural strength of musculoskeletal tissues, like tendons and ligaments;
• Improved bone density, especially in growing foals;
• Hoof stimulation to grow strong hoof wall, frogs and soles;
• Improved overall condition and fitness;
• Fresh air that is beneficial for respiratory health, especially compared to a stall environment;
• Improved intestinal motility and health as a result of exercise and intermittent grazing on pasture grass;
• An opportunity to blow off steam without hurting a rider;
• Time to pal around with other herd members;
• Mental calm from being with a herd, able to move around, exercise, and graze at will.

The Cons of Turnout

Yet, there are legitimate reasons cited by owners as to why turnout scares them:

• The horse might incur injuries such as kicks, nicks, bites, scratches or lacerations;
• There is a potential for tendon or ligament injury, hoof bruising, or even a fracture from roughhousing or galloping in the field;
• The haircoat, mane and tail could be damaged by abrasion or sun;
• Herd competition might limit a horse’s access to sufficient forage or might stimulate fighting over food.

Other Considerations for Turnout

Some interesting information has come from various studies. Over a 24-hour period, pastured horses travel twice the distance of those allowed only paddock turnout at night, averaging about 7 miles of travel, whereas those in stalls and paddocks wander approximately 3 miles.

Not only is time outside stimulating to a horse’s mental state, but also what a horse is able to do when turned out is equally as important. Just putting a horse in a small paddock is not the same as turning him out into a large acreage with or without grass.

Venting off steam related to confinement, training or competition makes for safer and more manageable behaviors. A calm and satisfied horse is more able to perform to his potential.

Improving Safety in the Field

Some practical strategies can help quell horse owner anxiety about turnout. Many of these rely on good common sense:

• Turn horses out in areas with safe fencing and gates that are checked regularly. Use of electric fencing around a pasture perimeter adds another layer of security to keep horses away from a fenceline.
• Put protective caps on the top of T-posts that make up a fenceline.
• In a new field or when introducing turnout, walk the horse along the entire field/pasture perimeter in both directions so he knows the extent of his boundaries, seeing it with both eyes. Show him everything in the pasture to avoid surprises.
• Turn a horse out alone or with just one or two compatible buddies so there isn’t a temptation to fight. Put him with calm and quiet horses that aren’t prone to startle or overly responsive to sudden events, like a car backfire or sudden wind blast. Monitor the initial periods when the horses are together to ensure that they do get along.
• Spread hay out in various locations in the field to minimize food competition and to allow plenty of room between eating spaces.
• Ensure that there are no corners in the enclosure where a horse might get trapped.
• Make sure loafing sheds have more than one entry and exit to avoid entrapment.
• Remove or eliminate access to hazards or obstacles, such as farm equipment, ditches, culverts or low-hanging roofs.
• Fence the horses away from trees and shrubs, particularly if they could be toxic if ingested.

For a horse that has been confined most of the time, there may be a transition period where newfound freedom causes him to act crazy. Monitor the situation and have a little patience. Within days, the horse should settle down and become more relaxed with his new environment.

With regular turnout, your horse will flourish with improvements to overall health and well-being, and you will likely have a more easygoing and better-performing horse to ride.

This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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