Stocking Density Affects Welfare Indicators in Horses Reared for Meat Production.
Authors: Raspa Federica, Tarantola Martina, Bergero Domenico, Bellino Claudio, Mastrazzo Chiara Maria, Visconti Alice, Valvassori Ermenegildo, Vervuert Ingrid, Valle Emanuela
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Stocking Density and Horse Welfare in Meat Production Researchers assessed 561 young horses (mean age 16 months) across seven separate surveys on an intensive meat production farm, using the AWIN (Animal Welfare Indicators) protocol to determine whether stocking density and feeding practices influenced measurable welfare outcomes. The farm's 12 pens were reassessed multiple times with varying horse numbers, allowing the team to compare welfare indicators at two stocking density thresholds: 3.95 m²/horse (median) and 4.75 m²/horse (75th percentile). At the lower stocking density threshold, significant improvements emerged across multiple parameters including body condition score, coat cleanliness, bedding quality, reduced coughing, and less abnormal standing rest—whilst at the higher threshold, coat condition, bedding, and mane/tail quality showed measurable gains, with less standing rest and fewer feeding-related behavioural issues linked to greater feed bunk space. The findings highlight that even modest increases in space allowance produce welfare benefits in intensively managed young horses, though the authors note that excessive starch intake remains problematic regardless of density, suggesting that housing management alone cannot compensate for nutritionally inappropriate feeding regimes. For practitioners involved in meat horse production, these results support investing in lower stocking densities where operationally feasible, whilst simultaneously addressing feed composition to meet horses' digestive requirements.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Increasing space allowance above 3.95 m²/horse in intensive meat production systems improves multiple welfare indicators including respiratory health (less coughing) and behavioral patterns
- •Even modest increases in floor space reduce abnormal standing rest behavior and improve coat condition and bedding quality, suggesting space is a practical lever for welfare improvement
- •Dietary management (reducing starch) is equally critical to space allocation—address both stocking density and feeding strategy together for optimal welfare outcomes
Key Findings
- •Lower stocking density (3.95 m²/horse vs higher) improved body condition score, coat cleanliness, and bedding quantity in meat horses
- •At median stocking density cut-off, lower density was associated with less coughing and reduced standing rest behavior
- •Space allowance at feed bunk affected feeding behavior and space-related welfare indicators across both density thresholds
- •Starch intakes exceeded recommended safe levels across the study farm, negatively affecting overall welfare independent of stocking density