Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay racks is animal appropriate? Preliminary analysis of stress responses of horses.
Authors: Baumgartner Miriam, Erhard Michael H, Zeitler-Feicht Margit H
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Time-controlled hay racks offer practical advantages for group-housed horses, yet the current design specification of approximately 80 cm per horse fails to maintain adequate inter-individual spacing, potentially triggering elevated aggression due to absent physical partitions between feeding positions. Baumgartner and colleagues conducted a preliminary investigation to establish the minimum animal-to-feeding-place ratio (AFR) that would provide horses with appropriate individual distances whilst using these systems, using stress response indicators as their primary assessment tool. The research highlights a critical distinction: unlike partitioned feeding stands or transponder-controlled stations, time-controlled hay racks cannot simply assume one feed-through equals one adequate feeding place when animals are in close proximity. For equine professionals managing group housing systems, these findings suggest that current space allocations may be insufficient to prevent stress-related behavioural problems, and that AFR thresholds need revision to align with horses' spacing requirements and welfare needs. The practical implication is that operators and facility managers should reassess stocking densities at time-controlled hay racks, potentially increasing the number of access points relative to group size to reduce competitive feeding behaviour and associated injury risk.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When installing time-controlled hay racks, do not assume each feeding space equals one horse; expect aggression and competition with current ~80 cm spacing
- •Consider the lack of physical partitions between horses at these racks when calculating safe group sizes and stocking density
- •Use results from this preliminary study to inform facility design decisions regarding group feeding systems and spacing requirements
Key Findings
- •Current space allowance of ~80 cm per horse at time-controlled hay racks falls below required individual distance, increasing aggression
- •Feed-through spaces at time-controlled hay racks cannot be equated with actual feeding places due to lack of partitions
- •Minimum animal-to-feeding-place ratio needs determination to ensure adequate spacing and reduce stress responses in group-housed horses