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The Impact of Restricted Grazing Systems on the Behaviour and Welfare of Ponies
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  • Roxane Kirton,
  • Imogen Sandford,
  • Eleanor Raffan,
  • Sarah Hallsworth,
  • Oliver H. P. Burman,
  • Ruth Morgan
Roxane Kirton
Redwings Horse Sanctuary
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Imogen Sandford
University of Cambridge Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience
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Eleanor Raffan
University of Cambridge Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience
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Sarah Hallsworth
Redwings Horse Sanctuary
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Oliver H. P. Burman
University of Lincoln Department of Life Sciences
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Ruth Morgan
Scotland's Rural College

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Background: Equine obesity is a growing concern, much of the current management advice centres on dietary restrictions, including the removal or limitation of grazing. Little is known about the effectiveness and impact of this approach on the overall welfare of the horse. Objective: This study investigates the impact of two commonly used grazing systems advocated for the control of weight – the ‘strip-grazing’ system and the ‘track’ system - on the behaviour and welfare of outdoor living ponies. Study design: A within-subject cross-over experimental design was used with four groups of pasture kept ponies experiencing each system for 4 weeks in a random order. Methods: Time budgets and behavioural indicators of welfare were measured using 24-hour electronic surveillance, morphometric parameters including weight, body condition score and cresty neck score were measured weekly and activity levels were tracked using GPS tracking units. Results: Ponies moved more (median (IQR), track: 3.23% (2.08%), strip: 2.02% (0.90%); P = 0.001) and travelled a greater distance in 24-hour period (median (IQR), track: 7013.47m (1761.49m), strip: 5331.91m (494.16m); P < 0.001) and engaged in less overt agonistic behaviour on the track system compared with the strip system (median IQR; track: 0.14 (0.30), strip: 0.21 (0.37) P = 0.02). Main Limitations: A relatively short time period of exposure to each grazing system. Conclusions: Track systems resulted in a significant increase in ambulatory behaviour compared with the strip system. Increased levels of agonistic interactions on the strip system maybe the result of perceived reduction of space or a spatial concentration of resources compared to the track system, although the actual accessible area was the same. These results suggest that there may be physical health benefits to the track system as the ponies engaged in more voluntary low intensity exercise as well as improvements to overall welfare.
Submitted to Equine Veterinary Journal
03 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
27 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
14 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Jul 20242nd Revision Received
05 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
05 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Accept