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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowled...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(8); 1280; doi: 10.3390/ani13081280

Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowledge of UK Horse Owners When Feeding Haylage to Their Horses.

Abstract: Despite our improved understanding of equid digestive health and accurate rations formulations, obesity in the UK horse population remains high. Study aims: (1) to determine how owners are feeding their horses and what influences their choices, (2) to understand owners' knowledge of haylage and (3) to identify key areas that require additional education. Data were collected in 2020 from 1338 UK horse owners via two online surveys. Survey 1 was on general feeding practices, and Survey 2 was specifically on the feeding of haylage. Data were processed using chi square analyses + Bonferroni tests, with a significance < 0.05. Equal numbers of leisure and performance horse owners completed both surveys. For Survey 1, 67% fed hay as the only forage, 30% fed forage (hay/haylage) + balancer, 36% fed haylage and hay to manage energy intake, 84% added a cube or coarse mix, 88% did not do forage analyses, 74% did not see the need for it and 16% did not know analyses could be done. In Survey 2, those who were not feeding haylage, 66% were not sure how to feed it, 68% worried about aerobic spoilage and 79% said the bale size was unsuitable. Body weight measurements (Survey 1 and Survey 2) were rarely performed (11%). Aspects of ration formulations, the value of feed analyses and how to interchange hay and haylage require additional education to owners for improved ration compilation.
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Publication Date: 2023-04-07 PubMed ID: 37106843PubMed Central: PMC10135377DOI: 10.3390/ani13081280Google 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.

The research paper focuses on the practices and understandings of UK horse owners when it comes to feeding their horses, particularly with regard to haylage. The paper also identifies areas where additional education for horse owners could be beneficial in managing horse obesity.

Methodology

  • The research was done in 2020 and made use of two separate online surveys to gather data from 1338 UK horse owners.
  • The first survey focused on general feeding practices while the second survey was specifically targeted towards the feeding of haylage.
  • The data collected from these surveys were analyzed using chi square analyses and Bonferroni tests. A significance level of less than 0.05 was used.

Results of the General Feeding Practices Survey

  • The results showed that 67% of horse owners fed hay as the exclusive forage, while 30% used a combination of forage (hay/haylage) and balancer.
  • About 36% of the respondents were using haylage and hay to manage energy intake.
  • A large percentage (84%) incorporated a cube or coarse mix in their horses’ diets.
  • Alarmingly, 88% of these owners did not perform forage analyses, with 74% not seeing the need for it and 16% not being aware it could be done.
  • Body weight measurements were rarely conducted, with just 11% of the respondents performing them.

Results of the Haylage Feeding Survey

  • Among those who were not feeding haylage, a significant 66% were uncertain about the correct way to feed it.
  • 68% raised concerns about aerobic spoilage.
  • For 79% of these respondents, the bale size was unsuitable to their needs.

Identified Areas Requiring Owner Education

  • According to the research, horse owners require more education on aspects of ration formulation, the importance and value of feed analyses, and the optimal method of interchanging hay and haylage feed.
  • This education is crucial for improving their ration compilations and ultimately the health of their horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Moore-Colyer M, Westacott A, Rousson L, Harris P, Daniels S. (2023). Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowledge of UK Horse Owners When Feeding Haylage to Their Horses. Animals (Basel), 13(8), 1280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081280

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
PII: 1280

Researcher Affiliations

Moore-Colyer, Meriel
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester GL7 6JS, UK.
Westacott, Amy
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester GL7 6JS, UK.
Rousson, Lucile
  • AgroSup, Rue St Pettion, 21000 Dijon, France.
Harris, Patricia
  • Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the Wolds, Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK.
Daniels, Simon
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Road, Cirencester GL7 6JS, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

There were no conflict of interest.

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