The Efficacy of a Novel Slow Feeding System on Intake Rate and Behaviour of Normal and Hyper Reactive Stabled Horses
Pick-Up, Lucy (2017) The Efficacy of a Novel Slow Feeding System on Intake Rate and Behaviour of Normal and Hyper Reactive Stabled Horses. Masters thesis, Royal Agricultural University.
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Lucy Pickup Thesis Efficacy of a novel slow feeding system on intake rate and behaviour of stabled horses April 2017.pdf - Accepted Version Download (14MB) | Preview |
Abstract
The environment of the domestic horse is very different from that seen in the feral state. Confined housing conditions, high concentrate diets, limited forage, reduced locomotion and social isolation can result in the development of an array of health and behavioural conditions. Research to improve this environment and reduce the likelihood of such conditions is vital for the welfare of the stabled horse. The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy of a novel slow feeding (SF) system on intake rate and behaviour of normal and hyper reactive stabled horses when compared to presenting hay in a hay net or loose on the floor. Two in vivo studies were carried out to establish the effect each feed method (hay net, SF and loose hay) had on intake time (total intake time, mins/kg, g/min), bites and chews/min and on behaviour by looking at the following non-invasive biomarkers, behavioural initiation rate (BIR), Spontaneous eye blink rate (SBR), Heart rate (HR) and Heart rate Variability (HRV) during 30 minutes of feeding. Presenting hay in a slow feeder significantly increased eating time when compared to a hay net or loose hay, with the slow feeder and standard grid slowing down intake rate from 24 minutes /kg to 39 minutes per kg, for loose hay and SF respectively, thus the SF increased intake time across both experiments by 1.6 times (P<0.05). Bite rate was affected by feed method with bite rate increases from 7.6 bites/min to 12.2 bites/min across all horses when comparing loose hay and the SF, the SF increased bite rate by 62% (P<0.05). Horses took a few days to acclimatise to the SF. Initial reluctance to feed from the SF was quickly overcome and initial increase in feeding time, decreased by 14.5mins as horses learnt to feed from it. Overall, horse behaviour in the stable (BIR, SBR, HR, HRV) improved, when hay was presented in an SF. Using a slow feeder to increase feeding time had a positive effect on stable behaviour in hyper reactive horses and could help reduce the onset of stereotypic behaviours. Further research on a larger sample group and over an extended period is warranted to further establish the effect the slow feeder might have on behaviour, with particular focus on how it may help improve the welfare of stabled horse’s long term.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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| Keywords: | Slow feeder, Stabled horses, Behaviour |
| Divisions: | Agriculture, Science and Practice |
| Depositing User: | Ms Susan Baker |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jul 2026 15:52 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2026 15:52 |
| URI: | https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17119 |
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