Foraging enrichment for stabled horses: effects on behaviour and selection.
Authors: Goodwin D, Davidson H P B, Harris P
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Foraging enrichment for stabled horses Stereotypic and redirected behaviours in stabled horses are widely recognised as indicators of poor welfare, with restricted forage access implicated as a key driver; this study sought to clarify whether offering multiple forage sources rather than a single option could mitigate these unwanted behaviour patterns. Using a controlled crossover design across four replicated trials, researchers presented groups of up to 12 horses with either one forage source (hay, then their preferred forage from the previous trial) or six different forages for five-minute exposures, analysing twelve mutually exclusive behaviour patterns via video. Provision of multiple forages produced substantial behavioural differences: when hay alone was available, horses in the single-forage stable demonstrated significantly increased door-watching, movement, straw-bedding foraging, and behaviours indicating frustration or motivation to search for alternatives (all P<0.001–0.005). Critically, enrichment effects persisted even when the single-forage option was the horse's previously preferred source, suggesting the cognitive and physical stimulation of *choice itself* contributes to welfare. Although longer-term effects require investigation, these findings support the practice of offering varied forage sources to reduce aberrant behaviours and excessive bedding consumption—a practical, cost-effective welfare intervention for competition and stabled horses.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Provide stabled competition horses with multiple forage sources to reduce stereotypic behaviours and stable vices, improving welfare outcomes
- •Multiple forage enrichment decreases unwanted straw bedding consumption, reducing feed waste and digestive issues
- •Consider forage variety as a cost-effective management strategy for horses with restricted pasture access, particularly racehorses and competition animals
Key Findings
- •Horses with access to multiple forages (6 sources) exhibited significantly less door-looking, movement, and straw bedding foraging compared to single forage provision
- •Single hay provision resulted in all 12 measured behaviour patterns being significantly different between enriched and non-enriched stables (P<0.001)
- •Enrichment with multiple forages reduced straw consumption and facilitated expression of natural foraging motivation
- •Novelty effects were detected; previously preferred forage as single source still produced significant behavioural differences between environments