Welfare of Equids: Guidance

Stabling and housing systems

Stabling and housing

With more owners and keepers choosing to allow their equid to live outside year-round, stabling is often no longer a requirement. However, access to built or enclosed spaces remains useful for medical, management or emergency purposes. Multipurpose spaces that allow equids to come and go freely but can be enclosed when needed should be considered, particularly where facilities are limited.

When equids are stabled or confined, their natural behavioural needs should continue to be prioritised. Resting and rolling behaviours are positive indicators of welfare. Bedding type and depth directly influence sleep quality, which impacts trainability and equid–human safety. Poor design or maintenance of stabling poses risks including respiratory disease, injury, fire, and disease transmission. Adequate light (natural and artificial) is essential. Ventilation, drainage, and hygiene must be prioritised.

Good practice:

• If stabling is required, owners and keepers should house equids within a safe, clean environment, that allows adequate space to move easily and lie down in a normal resting posture.
• Stabled equids should have daily access to free movement.
• Equids should be housed within buildings that are structurally sound and adequately ventilated, with no sharp edges or protrusions.
• If housed alongside other equids, there should also be sufficient space for subordinate equids to escape aggression.
• Owners and keepers should ensure that all fixtures (e.g. tie rings, drinkers) are safely placed and all lightning is enclosed with wiring secured out of reach of any equid.
• Equids should be housed on non-slip, well-drained flooring.
• Equids should be housed within sight of other equids and ideally be able to choose to touch, or mutually groom, a preferred companion.
• Equids should be provided with multiple forage types and food-based enrichment if stabled for longer durations.
• Equids should be housed within areas that are as large as possible and allow for both social contact opportunities as well as opportunities to be out of reach of other equids.
• Owners and keepers should ensure any housing has continuous airflow preferably above the body height of the equid. One window or top door should be open unless weather conditions dictate otherwise.
• Owners and keepers should ensure any glazing is safety-grade (e.g. Perspex®) and protected with grilles.
• Owners and keepers should ensure bedding is clean, non-toxic, low dust, and deep enough for comfort considering periods of standing and lying down. Bedding should absorb urine and be replaced regularly to keep the living environment clean.
• Care should be taken to select groups that are compatible. Ensure shared barns are large enough to allow all equids to move freely and lie down simultaneously and avoid competition over resources.

Box rest and restricted movement

Owners and keepers should have a contingency plan for equids requiring box rest or restricted movement. Where total box rest is not essential, creating stable-sized pens using electric fencing in an arena or paddock can allow limited movement.

Good practice:

Unless veterinary advice indicates otherwise (e.g. for biosecurity), isolated equids should:

• Be within sight and preferably touch of a companion and ideally have daily interactions with a compatible equid if safe.
• Be offered environmental enrichment (e.g. forage toys, multiple forage types, flavoured water, and hanging vegetables). These should be introduced carefully, with the equid monitored during the initial introductions.
• Be groomed or be able to self-groom and given low-stress training or physiotherapy exercises as advised by professionals.

Mare and foal housing

Good practice:

If mares and foals are housed indoors, owners and keepers should ensure that the space:

• Allows the mare to roll safely and care for the foal.
• Provides room for both mare and foal to lie down comfortably.
• Facilitates safe access to water and feed.
• Offers daily turnout, ideally with other mares with foals.

Fire safety

Good practice:

Fire is a critical hazard in equid accommodation. Owners and keepers should:

• Seek advice from the local Fire Prevention Officer.
• Ensure all installations (lighting, alarms, extinguishers) are inspected annually.
• Only use fire-safe electrical equipment installed by qualified professionals.
• Prohibit smoking and display appropriately clear, legible and visible signage.
• Store bedding, forage, and waste materials with adequate ventilation that is located a safe distance away from stabling to reduce the risk of fire spread.
• Maintain a clear and rehearsed emergency plan for rapid equid evacuation.

Link to relevant Scottish Government guidance: Fire safety risk assessment: forms and guidance - gov.scot.

Environmental sustainability

Sustainable practices contribute to long-term benefits and environmental conservation. Owners and keepers should seek to integrate the following sustainable practices into management:

Good practice:

• Plant equid-friendly hedgerows or trees.
• Manage manure in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
• Owners and keepers should dispose of waste using environmentally sound methods.

Enhanced management measures:

• Use the Equid Carbon Calculator to assess emissions: Equine Carbon Calculator.
• Reduce fuel use and chemical inputs in land management.
• Collect rainwater (not for drinking use).