Horse Pasture Management and Equine Digestive Welfare

Horses evolved to graze continuously for 16+ hours daily, and management practices that restrict grazing cause digestive and behavioral welfare problems in companion and working horses.

Key Facts

Horses evolved to eat small amounts of forage continuously over 16-18 hours per day
Gastric ulcers affect 60-90% of performance horses and are linked to forage restriction
Stereotypic behaviors including cribbing and weaving are linked to forage restriction and boredom
Stall confinement with infrequent forage access is associated with multiple welfare problems
Slow feeder hay nets extend eating time and reduce ulcer risk in stabled horses
Laminitis risk from high-sugar grass requires careful turnout management in susceptible horses

Welfare Considerations

Equine digestive welfare is fundamentally shaped by the mismatch between the horse's evolutionary design and common management practices. A horse kept in a stall with two hay feeds per day is spending much of its time in gastric acid discomfort - the equine stomach produces acid continuously, requiring constant forage buffering. Slow feeders, ad libitum hay access, and increased turnout dramatically improve digestive comfort. Behavioral consequences of inappropriate management - stereotypies and anxiety - indicate the welfare harm of common stabling practices.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have continuous access to forage using slow feeders if grazing is limited
Provide maximum practical turnout time for stabled horses
Consult a veterinarian about gastric ulcer risk assessment and treatment for performance horses
Support equine management education programs that prioritize forage-based welfare needs