Horse Feeding Enrichment and Behavioral Welfare

Feeding enrichment addresses one of the most significant behavioral welfare challenges for stabled horses by extending feeding time and engaging foraging motivation across more of the day.

Key Facts

Horses are trichogastric fermenters evolved to graze 14-16 hours per day
Stabled horses fed two concentrate meals per day spend up to 18 hours without forage access
Gastric ulcers are significantly more prevalent in horses with insufficient forage access
Slow feeder haynets and forage dispensers extend hay consumption time by 2-4 times
Behavioral problems including weaving, cribbing and box walking are associated with insufficient forage access

Welfare Considerations

Restricted forage access is one of the most widespread welfare challenges in horse management causing gastric ulcers, stereotypic behaviors and chronic frustration of foraging motivation. The solution is straightforward: maximize forage availability throughout the day using slow feeders, ad libitum hay provision for non-overweight horses, and track feeding with haylage. Behavioral problems that develop from forage restriction often persist even after forage access is restored.

What You Can Do

Provide ad libitum hay or use slow feeder haynets to extend foraging time throughout the day
Never leave horses without any forage access for more than 4 hours during daylight hours
Use track feeding systems and multiple hay stations to encourage movement between feeding locations
Increase forage before reducing concentrate to maintain caloric intake during diet adjustment
Consult a vet or equine nutritionist if body weight prevents ad libitum hay access