Important Aspects of Species-Appropriate Horse Keeping
Adequate Freedom of Movement
Horses are running animals that naturally cover many kilometers a day. Large pastures or sand paddocks are therefore essential to provide them with enough space to move. Closed stalls should be avoided or only used for short periods. It is important to ensure that your horse gets outside and moves often enough. In recent years, adequate freedom of movement has been increasingly discussed, leading to the development of various stable concepts designed for species-appropriate animal husbandry. The open stable is often a very popular type of housing because your horse can move around 24/7. In our blog post "Open Stable Keeping – Paradise or Challenge for Horses", you can learn more.
Varied Training
Despite sufficient free movement opportunities, you should also exercise your horse regularly. Whether you ride, longe, or do groundwork, try to make the training as varied as possible. Variety in training also helps prevent boredom and psychological problems in your horse. A balanced horse shows behavioral issues less frequently.
In our shop, you’ll find the right equipment for every training session.
Social Interaction
As herd animals, horses suffer when kept in isolation. Group housing not only promotes their social behavior but also contributes to their psychological well-being. It is therefore important that horses are kept together with other conspecifics. They should have the opportunity to integrate into a herd.
Adapted Nutrition
Species-appropriate nutrition is a fundamental part of horse keeping and should include both roughage and succulent feed, as well as concentrated feed if needed. In summer, horses enjoy fresh grass in the pasture, which provides them with the necessary nutrients to stay healthy and lively. In winter months, when fresh grass is not available, hay should be fed more intensively. It is important to note that the quality and composition of hay and grass can vary depending on the region and season, so feed supplements may need to be adjusted accordingly.
You can find various supplements in our shop.
Health Management: Regular veterinary check-ups and tailored training programs help maintain and promote the health of horses. Establishing these practices in horse keeping ensures that the animals can lead a fulfilling and healthy life.
Adequate Shade in Summer:
In the warm summer months, heat can be a significant strain on horses. Horses tolerate cold better than heat. Therefore, it is crucial that they always have access to shady spots. Whether through trees or a small shelter, your horse should always have access to shade in the pasture.
When there are multiple horses on a pasture, it is especially important to ensure there is enough shade for each animal to provide protection from the sun. Additionally, your horse should always have access to fresh water. Dehydration can occur quickly, especially in high temperatures.
Guidelines for Horse Keeping
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has issued the "Guidelines for the Assessment of Horse Keeping under Animal Welfare Aspects." Although these guidelines are not legally binding, they offer valuable orientation for horse owners and are available free of charge. They are particularly relevant when planning and setting up new horse stables.
Although it is not possible to provide horses with a life like in the wild, we can offer them enough space to express their natural behaviors through carefully thought-out stable concepts and effective management. Such an approach will improve the horses’ quality of life and promote their health, for which they will surely be grateful.
