In most pasture systems, resources such as water, shelter and supplemental feed are not spread out. As a result, horses may spend more time foraging near these resources, which can contribute to nonuniform or over grazing. Researchers at Clemson University evaluated the effect of resource placement in pastures on horse grazing behavior and time spent near these resources (concentrate feeding area, water, shelter).
Six mature adult mares (five Quarter Horses and one Warmblood) were grazed in established horse pastures at a stocking rate of 1.2 horses per acre. Pairs of horses were randomly assigned to one of three configurations of resources in six pastures. The horse pairs grazed three pastures at a time for seven days. With four seven-day grazing periods, each pair grazed four different pastures. The researchers monitored the horses' locations in the pastures by equipping them with GPS collars. Additionally, the researchers observed the horses for two hours three times daily and recorded grazing and nongrazing behaviors.
Overall, despite the configuration, 23 to 30 percent of the GPS positions recorded were within 75 feet of the shelter, water source, and concentrate feeding area. Horses tended to visit the feeding area more often than the water source or shelter. On average, the horses spent nearly 77 percent of their time grazing each day. Grazing activity varied between pastures, which could be due to differences in forage composition or quality.
The results of this study suggest that horses tend to spend more time near feeding areas while grazing pastures. As a result, moving feeding locations within a horse pasture can help encourage more uniform grazing.
For more information on this research, read the full paper published in the International Journal of Equine Science.
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The post Research Update: Placement of Feed, Water And Shelter Affect Grazing Behavior appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
