Citaat:
"The predominant housing system used in domestic horses is individual stabling in box stalls ... and horses are often confined in these stalls for large proportions of the day. This type of management style is used for several reasons, including injury prevention and convenience for the owner. To the human eye, the stable appears safe and inviting and is based on an anthropomorphic belief of what the horse finds comfortable. However, for a social animal that spends most of its time in close contact with con specifics (members of the same species), the isolation due to single housing could potentially activate the stress response." ~ states the introduction to a study conducted by the Nottingham Trent University on comparisons of the response of horses living in groups versus isolated housing.
The study showed that stabled and isolated horses have higher cortisone (stress hormone) levels than horses kept in paddocks and fields and also makes the point that much of our reasoning behind stabling horses is based upon our own human views of comfort and safety.
Good to see science catching up with us!! wink-emoticon (Published title is "Domesticated horses differ in their behavioural and physiological
responses to isolated and group housing" by Kelly Yarnell, Carol Hall, Chris Royle, Susan L. Walker
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