This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Is It Okay for My Horse to Live by Himself?
Q. Is it okay for a horse to live without herdmates or companions?
A. I am going to say that yes, it is okay for a horse to live alone, but with a bunch of caveats.
Horses are social animals. Feral horses live in harems, with a stallion, some mares, and offspring who will later disperse to other harems. Domesticated horses have lost really none of their “natural” behaviors. Nearly all of our domesticated species are highly social animals. That, along with their relative docility, probably contributed to them being good species for domestication
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.
Written by:
Nancy Diehl, VMD, MS
Related Articles
Crooked Lope: Training Issue or Lameness?
Small Feet, Big Responsibility: Hoof Care for Foals
Feeding Horses That Have Dry Skin
Taking the Edge Off: Calming Supplements for Horses
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com
Sponsored Content
What’s the Best Gut Supplement for Your Horse?
The Importance of Prevention in Equine Osteoarthritis
The 3 Worst Threats to Your Horse’s Skin—and What to Do About Them
Weekly Poll
Readers’ Most Popular
Top Categories