The impact of restricted grazing systems on the behaviour and welfare of ponies

Background: Equine obesity is a growing concern. Much of the current managementadvice centres on dietary restrictions, including the removal or limitation of grazing.Little is known about the impact of these approaches on the welfare of the horse.Objective: This study investigates the effect of two commonly used grazing systemsadvocated for the control of weight—the ‘strip-grazing’ and the ‘track’ systems—onthe behaviour and welfare of outdoor-living ponies.Study design: A within-subject cross-over experimental design with four groups ofpasture-kept ponies experiencing each system for 4 weeks in a random order.Methods: Time budgets and behavioural indicators of welfare were measured using24-h electronic surveillance, morphometric parameters including weight, body condi-tion score and cresty neck score were measured weekly and activity levels weretracked. The effect of grazing system on movement and behaviour was tested usinga general linear model. Results: Ponies moved more [median (IQR) % time spent moving, track: 3.23%(2.08%), strip: 2.02% (0.90%); p = 0.001] and travelled a greater distance [median(IQR) metres/24 h, track: 7013.47 m (1761.49 m), strip: 5331.91 m (494.16 m);p < 0.001] and engaged in less overt agonistic behaviour on the track system com-pared with the strip system [median (IQR) prevalence per hour; track: 0.14 (0.30),strip: 0.21 (0.37) p = 0.02].Main limitations: A relatively short time period of exposure to each grazing system.Conclusions: Ponies on strip systems moved less and exhibited increased agonisticinteractions compared with the track system, maybe as a result of a perceived reduc-tion in space or concentration of resources, although the accessible areas werematched. These results suggest that there may be physical as well as psychologicalhealth benefits to the track system.