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Animal welfare (South Mimms, England)2026; 35; e15; doi: 10.1017/awf.2026.10073

Friends, forage, freedom: A cluster analysis investigating horse management styles and welfare in the UK and Ireland.

Abstract: This study aims to improve the welfare and management of recreational horses by identifying how different management styles affect horse health and behaviour. We examined the management styles of recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland, focusing on social interaction (friends), access to suitable forage (forage), and unrestricted movement (freedom). We collected 1,501 survey responses, distributed via social media, and summarised the characteristics and management choices of the respondents. Using the Divisive ANAlysis cluster package in R, three distinct management styles were identified. The largest differences between clusters were in turn-out, individual stabling, and access to forage. The Horse Centred Management Cluster (HCMC) (n = 956) were more likely to provide their horses with 24-h turn-out and access to a forage source, and interaction with two or more horses. The Combined Management Cluster (CMC) (n = 434) showed a combination of management decisions that differed from the HCMC, including horses being kept in an individual stable for longer periods and being provided with shorter turn-out periods (nine or more hours). The Owner Centred Management Cluster (OCMC) (n = 111) provided a more restrictive management style with a much reduced turn-out time (typically 0-6 h), often with no contact with other horses, and less access to a forage source (0-10 h). We explored associations between management factors (friends, forage, and freedom) and horse welfare-related outputs via owner responses to health and behaviour questions, where behaviour was considered to reflect mental state. The HCMC horses were significantly less likely to exhibit gastrointestinal issues, lameness issues, handling problems, or antisocial behaviours compared to both other groups. This study highlights how management impacts the health and behaviour of recreational horses and can contribute to the development of guidance on improved management and welfare for recreational horses.
© The Author(s) 2026.
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Publication Date: 2026-02-24 PubMed ID: 41769176PubMed Central: PMC12936806DOI: 10.1017/awf.2026.10073Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigates how different horse management styles in the UK and Ireland affect the health and behaviour of recreational horses.
  • It identifies three distinct management clusters based on access to social interaction, forage, and freedom, linking these styles to horse welfare outcomes.

Research Purpose and Context

  • The primary goal was to improve welfare and management practices for recreational horses.
  • The focus was on three key welfare-related management factors:
    • Friends: Social interaction with other horses.
    • Forage: Access to suitable food sources like hay or pasture.
    • Freedom: Opportunities for unrestricted movement, such as turnout time.
  • The study acknowledges that these factors significantly influence horse health and mental state.

Methodology

  • Data was collected from 1,501 recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland via an online survey distributed on social media.
  • Survey questions related to management practices, horse health issues, and behavioural observations reported by owners.
  • The Divisive ANAlysis (DIANA) clustering method was employed in R to identify distinct management styles among respondents.
  • Clusters were analysed based on key variables such as turnout time, stabling duration, social interactions, and forage access.

Identified Management Clusters

  • Horse Centred Management Cluster (HCMC):
    • Largest cluster with 956 respondents.
    • Horses had 24-hour turnout access.
    • Regular access to forage sources throughout the day.
    • Interaction with two or more other horses was common.
  • Combined Management Cluster (CMC):
    • 434 respondents.
    • Horses had mixed management, including longer stabling periods and shorter turnout (9+ hours).
    • Management decisions were a combination of restrictive and permissive practices.
  • Owner Centred Management Cluster (OCMC):
    • Smallest cluster with 111 respondents.
    • Horses generally had limited turnout time (0-6 hours), often no contact with other horses.
    • Access to forage was minimal (0-10 hours).
    • More restrictive management style overall.

Associations with Horse Welfare

  • The study linked management styles to reported horse health and behavioural outcomes.
  • Owners’ reports were used as welfare indicators, with behaviour considered a reflection of mental state.
  • Findings showed:
    • Horses in the Horse Centred Management Cluster (HCMC) had significantly fewer gastrointestinal problems and lameness issues.
    • They also exhibited fewer handling difficulties and antisocial behaviours compared to horses in the other clusters.
    • The Owner Centred Management Cluster (OCMC) horses were more prone to welfare concerns, likely due to restricted turnout, limited social contact, and reduced forage access.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The research reinforces that horse welfare is closely tied to management choices around socialisation, freedom of movement, and diet.
  • Management styles that prioritize the horse’s natural needs (like the HCMC cluster) promote better health and positive behaviour.
  • The findings provide evidence-based insights that can guide owners, trainers, and welfare advisors to improve recreational horse management practices.
  • Ultimately, this study contributes valuable data that may support the development of best practice guidelines for enhancing the wellbeing of recreational horses in the UK and Ireland.

Cite This Article

APA
Watson W, MacKay JRD, Dwyer C. (2026). Friends, forage, freedom: A cluster analysis investigating horse management styles and welfare in the UK and Ireland. Anim Welf, 35, e15. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2026.10073

Publication

Animal welfare (South Mimms, England)
ISSN: 2054-1538
NlmUniqueID: 9214272
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 35
Pages: e15
PII: e15

Researcher Affiliations

Watson, Wendy
  • The University of Edinburgh, Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, UK.
MacKay, Jill R D
  • The University of Edinburgh, Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, UK.
Dwyer, Cathy
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and BioSciences, SRUC, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None.

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