Festina Lente
An evaluation of the introduction of continuous feeding for 34 stabled
horses
The consequences of intermittent feeding for stabled horses are increasingly being
acknowledged, researched and documented. For many stabled horses, access to
continuous grazing can be quite limited. Amongst some of the stereotypical
behaviours that may arise from this, many equines may develop ulcers as a result of
the intermittent feeding regime within many stables. This project tracks the progress
of the introduction of continuous feeding amongst 34 stabled horses between October
2010 and September 2011, with research continuing into 2012. Some of the benefits
of the introduction of continuous feeing include calmer horses, horses putting on and
keeping condition, considerably less intensity in relation to returning from the arena
to the stables as horses associate the stable with feed at particular times of the day,
virtually no resistance to leaving the stable for lessons and considerably less agitation
around feeding time. Hay nets were weighed over a period of 4 months with the
ultimate objective to have between 1kg and 2 kg in the bag each morning. Difficulties
arose with weight gain and the challenge of balancing continuous access to hay with
keeping weight at a healthy limit. The presentation will show video footage of horses
before and after and particularly behaviours around feeding time.
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Epidemiological clues to preventing colic Review Article The Veterinary Journal,
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D.C. Archer, C.J. Proudman
Foraging enrichment for individually housed horses: Practicality and effects on
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New Perspectives in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Review Article
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Andy E. Durham