UK Horse Carers’ Experiences of Restricting Grazing When Aiming to Prevent Health Issues in Their Horses.
Abstract: Laminitis and obesity are leading welfare issues for UK leisure horses. Limiting grass intake is a common preventative measure but may result in other aspects of welfare being compromised. This study aimed to determine how commonly different restricted grazing methods are used in the UK, barriers limiting their accessibility, and the potential benefits and welfare issues associated with each. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed with questions relating to horse carers' opinions of different restricted grazing practices, which methods they used, and how they implemented these. Closed questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Free text questions underwent content analysis. 503 respondents completed the questionnaire, 468 (93.0%) had practiced restricted grazing. Strip grazing was the most commonly tried method (67.7% of restricted grazers), followed by grazing muzzles (61.3%), starvation paddocks (57.4%), stabling (49.9%), crew yards (27.5%) and track systems (15.3%). Perception of welfare impact differed significantly between methods for both those who had (P < .001) and had not (P < .001) restricted grazing. Both groups considered strip grazing best for welfare and stabling worst. Barriers (including ease of implementation [52.0%], yard restrictions [24.0%], cost/affordability [23.7%]) prevented some from using their preferred methods. Respondents had similar priorities when choosing a restricted grazing method but did not agree which methods met these criteria. Strip grazing was favored by the greatest proportion of respondents whilst grazing muzzles and stabling polarized opinion. This study has provided initial insights into the challenges faced by horse carers when aiming to restrict grazing to combat equine health issues.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-06-13 PubMed ID: 34417001DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103685Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 article examines the experiences and practices of UK horse carers implementing various restricted grazing methods to prevent health issues like laminitis and obesity in horses.
Objective of the Study
- The study aimed to determine the prevalence of different restricted grazing methods among UK horse carers, their accessibility challenges, and their associated benefits and welfare impacts on horses.
Methodology of the Study
- A cross-sectional online survey was distributed with questions related to horse carers’ views on different restricted grazing practices, the methods they used, and their implementation.
- Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to analyze closed questions, while content analysis was used for free text questions.
Findings of the Study
- Out of 503 respondents, 468 (93.0%) had practiced restricted grazing.
- The most adopted method was strip grazing (67.7% of restricted grazers), followed by grazing muzzles (61.3%), starvation paddocks (57.4%), stabling (49.9%), crew yards (27.5%), and track systems (15.3%).
- The perception of the welfare impact varied significantly among methods for both those who had and had not restricted grazing.
- The highest number of respondents considered strip grazing as the best for welfare and stabling as the worst.
Barriers to Restricted Grazing
- Barriers preventing some carers from using their preferred methods included ease of implementation (52.0%), yard restrictions (24.0%), and cost/affordability (23.7%).
- While respondents had similar priorities in selecting a restricted grazing method, they disagreed on which methods fulfilled these criteria.
- Strip grazing was favored by most respondents, while grazing muzzles and stabling created divided opinions.
Conclusion of the Study
- This study provided preliminary insights into the challenges horse carers face when trying to restrict grazing to address equine health concerns.
Cite This Article
APA
Cameron A, Harris P, Longland A, Horseman S, Hockenhull J.
(2021).
UK Horse Carers’ Experiences of Restricting Grazing When Aiming to Prevent Health Issues in Their Horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 104, 103685.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103685 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Welfare and Behavior Group, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. Electronic address: amelia.cameron@nottingham.ac.uk.
- Equine studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Freeby Lane, Waltham-on-the-Wold, Leicestershire, UK.
- Equine Livestock and Nutrition Services, Tregaron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK.
- Animal Welfare and Behavior Group, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Animal Welfare and Behavior Group, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Caregivers
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Horses
- Humans
- Leisure Activities
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- United Kingdom
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Moore-Colyer M, Westacott A, Rousson L, Harris P, Daniels S. Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowledge of UK Horse Owners When Feeding Haylage to Their Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 7;13(8).
- Furtado T, Perkins E, Pinchbeck G, McGowan C, Watkins F, Christley R. Exploring human behavior change in equine welfare: Insights from a COM-B analysis of the UK's equine obesity epidemic. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:961537.
- Furtado T, King M, Perkins E, McGowan C, Chubbock S, Hannelly E, Rogers J, Pinchbeck G. An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 8;12(2).
- Hall-Bromley A, Dixon L. Education and Licensing of Horse Owners: Addressing Poor Horse Welfare in the UK. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 3;15(7).
- Cameron L, Challinor M, Armstrong S, Kennedy A, Hollister S, Fletcher K. Tracking the Track: The Impact of Different Grazing Strategies on Managing Equine Obesity. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 19;15(6).
- Kirton R, Sandford I, Raffan E, Hallsworth S, Burman OHP, Morgan R. The impact of restricted grazing systems on the behaviour and welfare of ponies. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):737-744.
- Ross M, Proudfoot K, Campbell Nishimura E, Morabito E, Merkies K, Mitchell J, Ritter C. 'It's more emotionally based': Prince Edward Island horse owner perspectives of horse weight management. Anim Welf 2024;33:e14.
- Ward AB, Harris PA, Argo CM, Watson CA, Burns NM, Neacsu M, Russell WR, Grove-White D, Morrison PK. Confidence does not mediate a relationship between owner experience and likelihood of using weight management approaches for native ponies. PLoS One 2023;18(10):e0292886.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
