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Published on: August 31, 2018
Adaption of horses to a novel dynamic feeding system: movement and behavioural responses
B A Hampson1, M A de Laat, J Monot
1The Australian Brumby Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. b.hampson1@uq.edu.au
Reasons For Performing Study:
Many domestic horses and ponies are sedentary and obese due to confinement to small paddocks and stables and a diet of infrequent, high-energy rations. Severe health consequences can be associated with this altered lifestyle.
Objectives:
The aims of this study were to investigate the ability of horses to learn to use a dynamic feeder system and determine the movement and behavioural responses of horses to the novel system.
Methods:
A dynamic feed station was developed to encourage horses to exercise in order to access ad libitum hay. Five pairs of horses (n = 10) were studied using a randomised crossover design with each pair studied in a control paddock containing a standard hay feeder and an experimental paddock containing the novel hay feeder. Horse movement was monitored by a global positioning system (GPS) and horses observed and their ability to learn to use the system and the behavioural responses to its use assessed.
Results:
With initial human intervention all horses used the novel feeder within 1 h. Some aggressive behaviour was observed between horses not well matched in dominance behaviour. The median distance walked by the horses was less (P = 0.002) during a 4 h period (117 [57-185] m) in the control paddock than in the experimental paddock (630 [509-719] m).
Conclusions:
The use of an automated feeding system promotes increased activity levels in horses housed in small paddocks, compared with a stationary feeder.
Potential Relevance:
The novel feeder system may have application in the husbandry of horses and ponies kept in small paddocks by encouraging a natural pattern of exercise without human intervention and an ad libitum diet of hay. This may improve the health and welfare of horses.
