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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(6); doi: 10.3390/ani15060874

Tracking the Track: The Impact of Different Grazing Strategies on Managing Equine Obesity.

Abstract: Horses evolved to live in herds, continuously moving and foraging. Domestic horses often have limited social contact and movement, with high calorific intake, contributing to obesity. "Track grazing" is an increasingly popular management system, but evidence of its impact on weight management, behaviour, and welfare is limited. Horses (n = 19) resident at HorseWorld (UK) were observed July to October 2023, monitoring bodyweight (kg), Body Conditions Score (BCS), hoof health, behaviour, and welfare indicators. Horses on track grazing systems lost significantly more bodyweight (kg) (F(1,15) = 8.752, p = 0.010) than their restricted grazing counterparts, although this was not supported by BCS findings which may be ineffective for subtle body weight changes. Horses on track grazing systems lost (mean ± S.D.) 10.67 ± 9.9 kg from their starting weight, whereas those on the traditional paddock systems gained 6.8 ± 13.7 kg. Hoof health and general welfare assessment scores were maintained. More behaviours in "positive", "negative", and "neutral" categories were observed in paddock system horses than those on the track grazing system, although these differences were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that horses prone to bodyweight gain can be managed effectively using track grazing systems whilst maintaining health and welfare.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-19 PubMed ID: 40150403PubMed Central: PMC11939410DOI: 10.3390/ani15060874Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the impact of different grazing strategies, specifically “track grazing”, on managing obesity in domestic horses. The study found that horses on track grazing systems lost significantly more body weight than those on traditional paddock systems, with no evident negative effects on health or behaviour.

Objective of the Research

This study sought to examine the effect of various grazing strategies on managing equine obesity. The focus was particularly on the track grazing system. The researchers aimed to observe and analyze the impact of this system on weight management, behaviour, and welfare of horses.

Methods Used

  • The study was conducted on 19 horses resident at HorseWorld (UK) from July to October 2023.
  • Various parameters like bodyweight, Body Conditions Score (BCS), hoof health, behaviour, and welfare indicators were monitored.
  • The two comparison groups were horses on track grazing systems and those on traditional or restricted grazing counterparts. Measures of weight change in both settings were compared.

Key Findings

  • Horses on the track grazing system lost significantly more body weight than their counterparts on restricted grazing systems.
  • On average, horses on track grazing lost about 10.67 kg from their starting weight, while those on traditional paddock systems gained about 6.8 kg.
  • Interestingly, the Body Conditions Score (BCS) findings did not support these results. The researchers postulate that the BCS may not be sensitive enough to reflect subtle changes in body weight.

Health and Behaviour Observations

  • During the study, hoof health and general welfare assessment scores were maintained, indicating no negative effect on the health of the horses in either category.
  • More behaviours in “positive”, “negative”, and “neutral” categories were observed in horses on the traditional paddock system than those on the track grazing system. However, these behavioural difference were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the track grazing system effectively managed bodyweight gain in horses without compromising their health and welfare. This suggests track grazing as a more effective grazing strategy for managing equine obesity.

Cite This Article

APA
Cameron L, Challinor M, Armstrong S, Kennedy A, Hollister S, Fletcher K. (2025). Tracking the Track: The Impact of Different Grazing Strategies on Managing Equine Obesity. Animals (Basel), 15(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060874

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 6

Researcher Affiliations

Cameron, Lorna
  • Equine Department, Hartpury University, Hartpury House, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Challinor, Meg
  • HorseWorld, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Bristol BS14 0QL, UK.
Armstrong, Sophie
  • Equine Department, Hartpury University, Hartpury House, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Kennedy, Abigale
  • Equine Department, Hartpury University, Hartpury House, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Hollister, Sarah
  • HorseWorld, Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Bristol BS14 0QL, UK.
Fletcher, Katharine
  • Welfare Aware, c/o Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Bristol BS14 0QL, UK.

Grant Funding

  • NA / The Pets Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

Meg Challinor is a welfare advisor for HorseWorld, the charity organisation where the research was conducted. HorseWorld received funding from the Pets Foundation to build the track systems, conduct the research and cover the Article Processing Charge. Sarah Hollister is Head of Equine Welfare at HorseWorld, the charity organisation where the research was conducted. Katharine Fletcher is an independent welfare advisor whose involvement in the research was funded by the grant from the Pets Foundation. The authors declare that this study received funding from the Pets Foundation. The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results. This research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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