A Survey of Pennsylvania Horse Management: Part One-Nutrition.
Authors: Orr Erin L, Staniar W Burton, Smarsh Danielle N
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Pennsylvania horse owners predominantly feed concentrates and forage by volume rather than weight—a significant disconnect from how nutritional requirements are actually formulated—according to survey data from 470 horses collected between February and August 2020. The researchers used non-parametric statistical analysis to examine feeding management practices and gastrointestinal issues, finding that 81% of horses receiving premixed feed were dosed volumetrically (typically 2 scoops daily) and 95% received hay by volume, with just over half fed from the ground rather than elevated feeders. Overall gastrointestinal complaints were reported in 10% of the population, with ulceration documented at low rates (2.3% owner-perceived, 4% veterinary-perceived, and 2.3% confirmed diagnoses), and notably, no significant difference existed in concentrate intake between horses with and without GI issues. The findings highlight a critical gap in practice: caretakers administered standardised feeding rates regardless of exercise intensity, and the reliance on volumetric measurement—where individual scoop or flake density varies considerably—may obscure under- or over-feeding relative to actual bodyweight and workload. For equine professionals, these results underscore the value of educating owners about weight-based feeding calculations and highlight that current feeding methods may not adequately account for individual variation, potentially contributing to unnecessary nutritional miscalculation and associated health costs.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Most horse owners feed concentrates by volume (scoops) rather than weight; educating caretakers on weight-based feeding aligned with actual requirements could improve nutritional management and reduce costs
- •GI issues are relatively common (10% prevalence); standardizing feeding practices by weight and considering individual exercise levels may help mitigate problems
- •Feeding hay on the ground versus in feeders and using volume-based measurements are widespread practices; veterinarians and nutritionists should address these management gaps during consultations
Key Findings
- •81% of horses receiving premixed feed were fed on a volume basis rather than weight, despite feeding requirements being weight-based
- •10% of surveyed horses (46/470) had reported GI issues, with owner-perceived and veterinary-diagnosed ulcers occurring in 2.3% of horses
- •No statistical difference in premixed feed or hay amounts was detected between horses in different exercise categories, despite varying caloric requirements
- •95% of horses received hay on a volume basis, with 57% fed on the ground rather than in a feeder