Restricted Grazing Systems’ Effects on Equine Behavior and Welfare

Equine obesity is a growing concern. Much of the current management advice centers on dietary restrictions, including the removal or limitation of grazing. Little is known about how these approaches impact horses’ welfare. This study aimed to investigate the effect of two grazing systems commonly used for weight control—strip-grazing and track systems—on the behavior and welfare of outdoor-living ponies. The study included four groups of pasture-kept ponies that experienced each system for four weeks in a random order. 

The ponies were kept under 24-hour electronic surveillance. Researchers measured morphometric parameters including weight, body condition score, and cresty neck score weekly. They also tracked their activity levels. They tested the effects of the grazing systems on movement and behavior using a general linear model. 

Ponies moved more [median (IQR) % time spent moving, track: 3.23% (2.08%), strip: 2.02% (0.90%); p = 0.001] and traveled a greater distance [median (IQR) meters/24 h, track: 7013.47 m (1761.49 m), strip: 5331.91 m (494.16 m); p < 0.001] and engaged in less overt agonistic behavior on the track system compared with the strip system [median (IQR) prevalence per hour; track: 0.14 (0.30), strip: 0.21 (0.37) p = 0.02]. 

Bottom Line  

Ponies on strip systems moved less and exhibited increased agonistic interactions compared with the track system. Thus, there might be physical and psychological health benefits to the track system. 

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14411

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