By nature, horses are herd animals – in the wild, they rely on security in numbers. So how does this affect your horse’s mental state in a domestic situation? Horses can become unhappy and unsettled if they’re left alone for any length of time – some will even form close bonds withcertain members of their herd, making any form of separation particularly difficult – and many take comfort from hacking out in company, too.
So, it’s worth understanding the ins and outs of herd life and why having friends contributes so much to your horse’s mental health and wellbeing. Let’s take a closer look.