Freedom, forage and friends these are the fundamental pillars of equine welfare, which are often referred to as the three Fs for horses.These basic horse care needs are essential for their physical and mental health. Horses need social interaction, access to constant grazing and unrestricted movement to replicate their natural lifestyle.When we think about our horses whether they are ponies, horses, leisure horses, or competition horses ultimately they, as a species, have a variety of needs that must be met to keep them healthy, both physically and mentally, says vet and animal behaviourist Dr Amber Batson, who founded Understand Animals in 2007, during a World Horse Welfare webinar.When we think about meeting things like the three Fs, we can consider how that concept helps us meet their basic needs things they require every day as well as how we can use it to add extra elements. Basic need meeting and enrichment are not the same thing, and that distinction is important.Basic needsHorses are a social species. They are more flight-driven than many other mammals. They value freedom to move away from threats, freedom to make choices, and freedom to communicate. They require 14 to 16 hours of ingestion of a high-fibre, low-sugar, low-starch diet.As a species, horses have evolved to eat and move, says Amber. They also need to eliminate waste and typically do so in specific areas before moving on. As a prey species, they do not tend to linger where they have defecated.They must be able to regulate their temperature. Horses are generally quite warm internally due to the fermentation of plant material. They also require opportunities for coat care, including rolling, scratching, and rubbing. Some of this serves a communicative function within the group and supports group cohesion, not just individual hygiene. Horses must also sleep and rest.FreedomThe concept of freedom covers both movement and choice. Horses require freedom from a host of basic needs, including hunger, thirst and pain. For stabled horses, considering their freedom to move is imperative, because they have evolved to move constantly. Their musculoskeletal system, circulation, digestion, respiratory system and hooves are designed for movement. Restricting it increases the risk of foot, locomotor, digestive, and respiratory disorders.Horses are not a species that stands still for long periods. They are almost constantly in motion, says Amber. Some studies suggest horses may move one hoof every 15 to 30 seconds on average, reflecting their home ranging and historical migratory tendencies.Restricting turnout is unavoidable at times, particularly in the UK during the wet and muddy winter months, but limiting movement can be detrimental to a horses physical and mental health. Therefore, alternative options should be explored.Alternatives to turnoutMovement opportunities might include riding, hand walking, or exploring different areas on a lead rope. Movement supports physical, emotional, sensory, and cognitive wellbeing, states Amber.Turnout does not have to mean pasture. There are many options: pasture-based systems, barn living, yard and shelter setups, or mixed systems. While many people feel constrained by local availability, caregivers can still ask what additional elements can be added, says Amber.We must also consider the quality of turnout. Muddy paddocks with no forage often result in horses standing still by the gate. Expanding the usable environment through attached pens, shelters, barns, or hard-standing areas can greatly increase continuous space. Even small increases in movement can be valuable.ForageNot only is providing a horse with a forage-led diet essential for their digestive health, but the act of encouraging them to forage is also very important.Foraging involves the use of lips, whiskers, tongue, and nose, allowing horses to discriminate between different plants. This seeking behaviour can be replicated even in stable environments, says Amber.Horses benefit from access to soil-based microflora. When soil access is limited, caregivers can hand-pick materials and incorporate them into forage. Spreading forage across multiple locations [think cafeteria style] encourages movement and natural behaviour.Patch-workingMethods such as strip grazing, patch-working pasture, and using varied substrates can help regulate forage intake while increasing movement.Patch-working is a way to restrict grazing without restricting movement, particularly useful in areas with obesity issues or unsuitable soil, explains Amber. It involves creating varied surfaces grass, carpet, straw, bark, fenced-off areas so horses must move more while grazing less. From above, it looks like a patchwork quilt.In non-grazing environments, forage can be provided in multiple small piles, low nets, or scattered areas. Repetitive browsing and tugging above chest height can increase physical strain on the jaw, neck and incisors ground-level feeding best reflects natural behaviour.FriendsHorses crave companionship, so ensuring they have access to friends is important for their physical and mental well-being as well as to ensure they feel safe. Being herd-orientated animals, horses rely on other horses for security.Stable design should allow horses to see, hear, and smell one another, but compatibility matters, says Amber.Introductions should ideally begin with scent, then visual contact with barriers. Double barriers can be helpful. Introductions should occur in familiar terrain, with corners and obstacles minimised. Resources should be maximised.Horses can have play dates, adjacent turnout, mutual grooming over barriers, shared hand walks, enrichment activities together, or scent exchanges through brushings or swapped droppings.Think outside the boxThere are many ways to offer the three Fs, even when horses are moderately or significantly restricted, concludes Amber. Whether we own or rent space, or have full or part livery, there are always options if we think creatively.Freedom, friends, and forage offer many possibilities. We need to keep thinking outside the box and truly give all the Fs.World Horse Welfare Wednesday Webinars are free to watch. Find out more and view previous episodes here.Main image ShutterstockAbout the expertDr Amber Batson is a vet, animal behaviourist and the founder of Understand Animals in the UK. Amber graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1999 and has worked in clinical vet practice ever since.She has a particular interest in the links between animal behaviour and health and set up Understand Animals in 2007 to provide a bridge between current science and its practical application to help animals living their lives alongside humans.Related contentHow do horses sleep? Experts explainThis is why feeding a horse from the floor is best practiceCafeteria-style feeding and its important role in a horses diet explained *Video*How to tell if a horse is happy: 13 signs to look forThe post How to provide a stabled horse with the three Fs (and why its so important that you do) appeared first on Your Horse.