UK Horse Carers’ Experiences of Restricting Grazing When Aiming to Prevent Health Issues in Their Horses

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK

“…As described, many owners used the systems as a way of providing their animals with a “natural” lifestyle in a domestic setting and frequently mentioned their animals’ emotional wellbeing as a result of the provision of “friends, forage and freedom”. Similarly, previous studies have shown track systems to be viewed very positively by horse owners [ 28 ]. Nevertheless, issues could occur in some instances; for example, group housing in relatively confined settings (e.g., on a track, or on the “loafing area” or an Equicentral set-up) could potentially lead to resource-guarding issues, particularly if resources are limited, as can be the case with the use of hay feeding stations [ 47 ].…”

“…Further research could explore this in more detail, as well as related information such as comparing the number of proportion of alternative grazing system users in the population, compared with standard grazing system use. This has been explored in relation to track systems only, in a study that found that 15.3% of survey respondents used track systems [ 28 ]. Further studies could also employ the use of ecological surveys which could assess the actual impact of the system in use.…”

“…Following research into the management of equine obesity, the authors were alerted to creative land management strategies used by UK equid keepers to mitigate the issues outlined above; for example, the use of turnout on low-grass interlinked tracks rather than paddocks [ 28 ]. Thus far, these systems have received little attention.…”

“…Early research into their use has produced mixed results; for example, Hampson et al (2010) found that pasture layouts, including tracks and spirals, did not yield greater movement in a herd of broodmares, compared with an open paddock [ 29 ]; however, pregnant broodmares may not be representative of the movement patterns of non-pregnant mares or geldings, more common in domestic scenarios. Cameron et al (2021) found that horse keepers favoured track systems for weight loss because of perceived positive welfare for equines with their use [ 28 ] and one study on a “dynamic feeding system”, which encouraged movement to access forage, did find effective weight loss as a result [ 30 ]. Track systems have also become increasingly popular at equine rescue centres, given their usefulness in providing enriched environments where horses can be managed as a herd, while also managing weight [ 31 ].…”

Exploring human behavior change in equine welfare: Insights from a COM-B analysis of the UK's equine obesity epidemic

“…Horses are often kept at livery yards, where aspects of their care may be prescribed by someone other than the owner; horse behavior may either promote or inhibit any changes made by the owners; for example the data showed examples of horses influencing the type of weight management to which they were subject by jumping out of fields, or becoming distressed or aggressive when food is restricted. These factors altered the types of weight management strategy available to horse owners ( 50 ), who understandably wanted their horses to experience positive mental affect while their weight was reduced.…”