All horses should be given daily access to paddocks or pasture, where possible together with other horses, in order to fulfil their need for free movement and social contact. However, there may be situations where veterinary advise or extreme weather conditions makes this contradictory. Horses should as far as possible be kept in stable groups. Paddocks and pastures should be well drained in order to as far as possible avoid muddy conditions. They should be kept clear of dangerous objects and regularly checked for poisonous plants.

Fences should be clearly visible to the horses, be well maintained, and of a sufficient type and height to prevent horses from escaping. The sufficient height of the fence depends on the type of horses within the paddock or pasture. As a guideline, the height of the fence should be at least the height at the withers multiplied by 0.75. Stallions may need higher fences. The distance between posts and rails/wires and between rails/wires will also depend on the size of the horses. Rails/wires should be set on the horse side of the fence. Barbed wire should not be used. As a guideline, a horse should have at least 200m2 of paddock, and the minimum size of a paddock should be at least 8oo m2. Paddocks for small ponies may be smaller. In order to supply enough grass pastures need to be much bigger. As a guideline there should be approx. 0.5 hectare pr. horse, if grass is the only feed. Especially for certain pony breeds it may be necessary to restrict the access to grass to certain periods, as they may otherwise become too fat, and risk laminitis. Horses should be introduced to new types of fence during day-time, and should be supervised for an appropriate period of time after being introduced to a new fence type or after being moved to a new paddock or pasture. Horses should also be supervised for an appropriate period of time, when they are grouped together in a paddock or on pasture, or when new horses are introduced into a group. Tethering on pasture should be avoided. It restricts the free movement of the horse, and it does not allow for social contact to other horses. Furthermore, there is a risk that the tethered horse becomes entangled in the tether and injures itself. The use of hobbles should be discouraged.

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