Horse Welfare: The importance of the 3 Fs

Owning a horse can bring a lot of joy but it can be a big responsibility. Particularly when it comes to ensuring that all of their needs are met. As well as protecting your horse from pain and suffering it is important for them to have friends adequate forage and the freedom to display natural behaviours the 3Fs. These factors are not only required to support their physical and mental wellbeing but are also specified by law in the Animal Welfare Act.
So what exactly are the 3 Fs and why are they so important for your horse?

Freedom the ability to roam
In the wild horses would be free to roam for hundreds of miles. Although we cannot mimic this lifestyle we should provide as much turnout as possible allowing the horse to graze and socialise with others. 
When the horse is stabled it is important that they have enough space to turn around lie down and stand up as required. Movement in the stable can be encouraged by putting food in different corners or by providing toys. All stabled horses should have daily turnout or exercise unless your vet has recommended box rest following an injury. Fulltime stabling is not a longterm solution for a horse and abnormal behaviours such as box walking weaving and windsucking may be seen if they dont have the freedom to carry out their normal activities. 
Tethering is often used to confine a horse to a small area and may be useful in some cases. Again this is not a suitable way of keeping a horse permanently or longterm as it restricts the horses freedom to exercise and to find food and shelter. There is also a chance that the horse could become injured by the tethering equipment. 
Friends companionship with other horses
Horses are sociable creatures. In the wild they would live in large groups or herds. Therefore we should do what we can to replicate this by turning them out with horses that they have formed an established group or bond with. 
When stabled horses should be kept in close proximity to their friends with the ability to see and touch each other allowing them to communicate and groom one another. Keeping a horse on his own can have a negative impact on his mental health and unusual behaviours may develop. Horses can be kept with other animals and may form bonds with sheep and