I would be willing to bet that they used quite 'natural' type fields, where there is a lot of space, hedgerows, trees, undulation etc.
Talking of new/different stable designs, I recently saw a photo of stabling that incorporated a smallish outside pen that gave horses the choice of whether to be in or out, as well as allowing freer communication between horses. I wish I could remember where! Will post link if it turns up again.
I also think that the majority of modern stable designs could be better - from my experience I strongly believe that stables with low walls that allow the horses in next door stables to interact make for a much happier yard (though you do of course have to be careful with who goes next to who).
Talking of new/different stable designs, I recently saw a photo of stabling that incorporated a smallish outside pen that gave horses the choice of whether to be in or out, as well as allowing freer communication between horses. I wish I could remember where! Will post link if it turns up again.
This works for some, but my share horse hates having other horses near him in the stable. In the field, he's one (albeit on the periphery of) of a very happy herd of seven geldings who have been together, undisrupted, for about 8 years and they all get on brilliantly. The other 6 all groom each other and play but he'll only groom one other and doesn't do playing. They're all happy and confident enough to be first out or last in by themselves and there's the odd disagreement (in a field full of grumpy old men, what would you expect!) but no fighting.
In the stable however he's evil to anything that's close to him - kicking walls, lunging over the door at any horse who has the misfortune of straying into 'his' space. I think he does it as feels very vulnerable in there as he has no escape route (he always makes sure he's got one in the field hence being on the periphery of the herd). He's now on the end of a block so nobody has to come past his stable and the wall between him and the horse next door has been built right up and he's much better for it. He still kicks the wall so we've had to cover it in rubber matting.He's a darling to humans! When he was on box rest for 6 months, he was quiet as a lamb when he was the only one in, but as soon as the others came in overnight he started with the kicking again!
Horses are individuals, one system does not suit all. Some are happy to be out, some actively hate being out at all, most in my experience are best with a combination of being stabled and turnout. If you have riding horses, especially fit competition horses, then having the option of stabling is essential.
Pigeon, your horse is sooooooooooo beautiful! x