Inducing weight loss in native ponies: is straw a viable alternative to hay?

The research article concluded that supplementing winter pasture with a barley straw and hay mix instead of just hay could help induce weight loss in grazing horses and ponies over the colder season. The findings also showed that straw could be a cost-effective and low-energy alternative to hay, without causing colic or laminitis issues.

Objective of the Study

• The purpose of this study was to explore potential solutions to the growing problem of obesity within the UK equine population. With horses and ponies at risk of laminitis due to excess weight, the study aimed to find an efficient and cost-effective method to induce weight loss over the winter period. The hypothesis was that supplementing poor winter pasture with a mix of barley straw and hay would lead to more weight loss in animals compared to feeding them hay alone.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted the study over the winter period with a group of 40 horses. These horses were divided into two groups. Group A (25 horses) was fed a mixture of barley straw and hay, while Group B (15 horses) was given only hay.

Results

• All the animals in Group A lost weight over the study period, with an average weight loss of 27 kg.
• Conversely, in Group B, only 20% of the horses (3 out of 15) lost weight, and the group as a whole gained an average of 6 kg of weight.
• Notably, there were no reported cases of colic or laminitis in either group during the study period, indicating that while the straw mix was effective in weight loss, it did not pose health risks.

Conclusion

• Through the observable weight loss in Group A and the absence of health complications, the study suggests that straw is a viable, cost-effective, and low-energy alternative to hay when inducing weight loss in grazing equids. As such, using this feeding strategy during winter could potentially help in managing obesity in the equine population.