The Five freedoms

Have you ever wondered what exactly it is that your horse needs to be happy? As owners we have a responsibility to providing the best housing for our animals and we are continually trying to improve the lives of our domesticated horses. The 5 freedoms that have been developed by the Farm Animal Welfare Council outline the basic needs of every equine and can be used as a blueprint for making sure that we provide the best environment for our horses at all times. The basis of these points is to assist owners and organisations when they need to assess animal welfare and have been in place since 1965. The introduction of the Animal Welfare Act in 2006 has further strengthened the power that charities have when dealing with issues around welfare. The 5 freedoms are described as

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst:

Horses should have access to clean water at all times and be fed a diet that supports their health and well-being.

2. Freedom from Discomfort:

This includes providing a comfortable environment with adequate shelter, protection from extreme weather, and suitable bedding.

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease:

This involves proactive measures to prevent illness and injury, as well as prompt veterinary care when needed.

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour:

Horses need enough space, proper facilities, and the company of other horses to exhibit their natural behaviours, such as grazing, grazing, playing, and socializing.

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress:

This means ensuring that horses are handled with kindness and care and are not exposed to situations that cause them fear, stress, or suffering.

But what do they actually mean in day to day life for looking after your horse and how can we make sure that we stick to them? Well, some are fairly obvious such as always providing fresh water, that’s pretty straight forward. But providing a diet that supports their health and well being? Now that’s a whole other can of worms. What exactly does that mean? In a study conducted by Michigan State University it was found that a reduction in eating patterns by approximately 20% of their day in stabled versus horses at pasture 24/7. So as owners many of us will have our horses stabled for a vast proportion of their day and therefore we need to get creative with making meal times last longer, enter the slow feeder! Whether it’s a forage slow feeder or a compound feeder, any addition that can increase the amount of time that a horse spends eating is not only going to aid their digestion which is evolved to work most efficiently trickle feeding, but also their mental well being, happy horse, happy owner!

All our products are designed around the basis of the five freedoms and helping domesticated horses live their happiest healthiest lives. Want to know more about our product design? Pop us a message on the contact form and we will be happy to discuss your individual requirements