A Survey of Pennsylvania Horse Management: Part One-Nutrition.
Abstract: Various aspects of nutritional management can impact both a horse's gastrointestinal (GI) health and caretaker costs. The objective of this study was to characterize the feeding management and GI issues of horses in Pennsylvania (PA). An online survey was distributed from February 27th to August 31st, 2020. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the data. Nonparametric statistics were used when data were not normally distributed. From 470 responses collected, the average horse age was 15.7 ± 7.5 years, and the most common breeds were the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred. Of the 345 horses who received premixed feed, 81% were fed on a volume basis. Most horses (95%) received hay on a volume basis, and 57% of horses were fed hay on the ground rather than in a feeder. No difference was detected in the number of scoops of premixed feed (median = 2; P = .284) or the flakes of hay per day (median = 5.7; P = .765) between horses in different exercise categories. The frequency of reported GI issues was 10% (46/470). Owner perceived, veterinary perceived, and veterinary diagnosed ulcers were found in 2.3%, 4%, and 2.3% of horses, respectively. No statistical difference was detected in the number of scoops of premixed feed fed per day between horses with or without GI issues (P = .536). Horses were provided the same amount of premixed feed and forage regardless of reported exercise category. Most equine caretakers fed concentrates on volume rather than weight, a common practice despite most feeding requirements being based on feed weights.
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-10-14 PubMed ID: 36244609DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104140Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study investigated how the feeding and nutritional management of horses in Pennsylvania could influence their gastrointestinal (GI) health and costs to their caretakers. Gathering data through an online survey, the common practices were evaluated and the common prevalence of GI issues was determined. Regardless of exercise levels, there was no significant variation in feed amounts, and most caretakers were found to be feeding by volume rather than weight – a practice at odds with typical feed requirements.
Sampling and Data Collection
- An online survey was used to gather data from the caretakers of horses in Pennsylvania, USA.
- The survey ran from February 27th to August 31st, 2020 and received 470 responses.
- Characteristics of the population included the average horse age of 15.7 years, and the most commonly owned breeds were the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred.
Feed and Exercise Data
- Of the 345 horses that received premixed feed, 81% were fed based on volume.
- 95% of horses were given hay based on volume and 57% were fed on the ground instead of in a feeder.
- It was revealed that no significant difference was detected in the quantities of premixed feed or hay given per day across horses with varying exercise levels.
Gastrointestinal Health and Diet
- GI issues were reported for 10% (46/470) of the survey population.
- The study found that 2.3% of horses were owner-perceived to have ulcers, 4% were perceived by veterinarians, and 2.3% were diagnosed by veterinarians.
- There was no statistically significant difference in the number of feed scoops given each day between horses with or without GI issues.
Observations and Implications
- Results showcase that horses were given the same quantity of premixed feed and forage regardless of reported exercised level.
- The prevailing practice was to feed concentrates based on volume rather than weight, a method which contrasts with recommendations for feeding based on weight.
- The findings of this research signify a need for a more tailored feeding practice, near to weight-based management, to properly adhere to the horses’ varying needs and potentially improve their GI health.
Cite This Article
APA
Orr EL, Staniar WB, Smarsh DN.
(2022).
A Survey of Pennsylvania Horse Management: Part One-Nutrition.
J Equine Vet Sci, 119, 104140.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104140 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Electronic address: dxs1172@psu.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Horses
- Nutritional Status
- Pennsylvania
- Feeding Methods / statistics & numerical data
- Feeding Methods / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Share ER, Mastellar SL, Rumble JN, Eastridge ML. Ohio horse industry survey: feeding and housing management practices. Transl Anim Sci 2025;9:txaf072.
- Carter MM, Leatherwood JL, Paris BL, Moore GE, George JM, Martinez RE, Karges K, Cox JR, Arnold CE, Glass KG, Bradbery AN, Rodiles A, Wickersham TA. Influence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 on the fecal pH, markers of gut permeability, fecal microbiota, and markers of systemic inflammation in sedentary horses fed a high-starch diet. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
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