The Herd Instinct

Horses require contact with other horses to allow them to remain calm and relaxed. As herd animals they rely on other members of the herd for protection, sharing the responsibility for watching for predators. This sharing of the herd defense allows for alternating periods of alertness and relaxation and creates strong social bonds. An isolated horse is in a constant state of alertness, since he does not have any herd members to share the defense duties. This constant state of alertness results in much higher stress levels, and can lead to health and behavior problems.

Stress

All stabled horses are subjected to stress, and just like us they all deal with it in different ways. The signs may be as subtle as leaving a little of their feed unfinished to any number of stereo typical behaviors, such as head bobbing, weaving, or cribbing. Long term exposure to stress can manifest itself in more insidious ways, such as ulcers and reduction in immune system effectiveness.