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Slow feeding devices (SFDs) are useful tools in order to improve the horse well‐being and to reduce wastage, but their use may result in unnatural posture during feeding and frustration behaviours. Moreover, it may be important to evaluate the laterality during feeding. The aim of the study was to investigate ponies' feeding behaviour (i.e., lateralisation, frustration, postural eating style) with different hay feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled hay net (HF), a partially filled hay net (HL), and a slow feeder hay box (HB). Nine ponies of two different breed types (Shetland and Welsh/Cob) were evaluated. Video recordings were obtained and then behavioural analysis was conducted. Data were analysed statistically using k‐means cluster analysis, repeated measurement mixed model procedure, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Head tilting was more often performed during feeding from HF and HL compared to G and HB. Forelimb forward, referring to the position that ponies assumed during feeding, was performed less frequently with the hay nets. Ponies, in particular Welsh/Cobs, tended to be more left‐lateralized and performed more backward ears when feeding from the hay nets. Blink rate was observed to be greater when ponies were fed from G. No head pushing, striking with forelimb and pawing while feeding was seen. Animals fed from HF tended to eat from the top of the hay net and consequently showed an arched neck; while HL and HB showed for elongated neck an intermediate pattern between G and HF. From our results, HB seemed to be a useful compromise between natural feeding on the ground and the use of hay nets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, haynets and slow feeders have been promoted as sustainable tools to improve the feeding management of horses and reduce forage waste, but little is known about their effects on ponies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different hay feeding methods on the ingestive behaviors, intake rate and mouth shaping of ponies belonging to two breed types, which are characterized by different head morphologies. Shetland type (SH, n = 5) and Welsh/Cob type (WC, n = 4) ponies were fed hay using four feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled haynet (HF), a partially filled haynet (HL), and a slow-feeder hay box (HB). Head morphology was measured for each pony. Video recordings were then made to apply geometric morphometrics and to perform behavioral analysis. The intake rate was measured for each pony and each feeding method. Data obtained with geometric morphometrics were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA). Behavioral data and intake rate measurements were analyzed using a mixed model, a post-hoc Tukey's test, a Pearson's correlation test, and a stepwise regression model. The geometric morphometrics results demonstrated that feeding method influenced mouth shaping (36% for G, 78% for HB, 77% for HF, 83% for HL, considering the total variance of shape) and affected the intake rate. Differences in mouth shaping and ingestive behaviors in SH and WC ponies also confirmed the role of morphology in feeding management. The HL proved to be the most effective tool to increase feeding consumption time when needed (5 h/kg for SH ponies and 3 h/kg for WC ponies, considering the intake time), although the HB may be the optimal choice to reduce the intake rate while maintaining a more natural posture. Future studies are suggested to fully understand how body size and morphology influence feeding in equine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, haynets and slow feeders have been promoted as sustainable tools to improve the feeding management of horses and reduce forage waste, but little is known about their effects on ponies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different hay feeding methods on the ingestive behaviors, intake rate and mouth shaping of ponies belonging to two breed types, which are characterized by different head morphologies. Shetland type (SH, n = 5) and Welsh/Cob type (WC, n = 4) ponies were fed hay using four feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled haynet (HF), a partially filled haynet (HL), and a slow-feeder hay box (HB). Head morphology was measured for each pony. Video recordings were then made to apply geometric morphometrics and to perform behavioral analysis. The intake rate was measured for each pony and each feeding method. Data obtained with geometric morphometrics were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA). Behavioral data and intake rate measurements were analyzed using a mixed model, a post-hoc Tukey’s test, a Pearson’s correlation test, and a stepwise regression model. The geometric morphometrics results demonstrated that feeding method influenced mouth shaping (36% for G, 78% for HB, 77% for HF, 83% for HL, considering the total variance of shape) and affected the intake rate. Differences in mouth shaping and ingestive behaviors in SH and WC ponies also confirmed the role of morphology in feeding management. The HL proved to be the most effective tool to increase feeding consumption time when needed (5 h/kg for SH ponies and 3 h/kg for WC ponies, considering the intake time), although the HB may be the optimal choice to reduce the intake rate while maintaining a more natural posture. Future studies are suggested to fully understand how body size and morphology influence feeding in equine species.

• Horses in the free choice and slow feeder spent more than 50% of the time eating. • Horses in the free choice gained more weight and consumed more hay. • Box and slow feeders are equivalent in food efficiency and intake control. • Horses in the box feeder spent only 25.81% of their time-budget eating. • Horses in the box feeder showed the highest rates of aggression and coprophagy. Free choice forage could be the best option regarding horses' welfare but can lead to increased body weight (BW), and waste of hay. Automatic box feeders (BF) and slow feeders (SF) decrease food waste, but it is unknown how these affect the horses' time-budget (TB). This study compared the effects of feeding free choice hay (FC), to a SF and an automated BF on the horses' cortisol circadian rhythm (CCR) and behavior by 24-hours continuous behavioral sampling (CBS). The study was designed as a 3 × 3 Latin square design with 15 polo horses divided into 3 groups, for 15 days on each treatment. Every 15 days, BW was assessed, blood collected for CCR analysis, the behavior recorded during the last 24 hours of the last day of each treatment and the video analyzed with CBS. Time spent on all behaviors was evaluated and used for the determination of the animals' TB. The effects of the different feeders were analyzed with ANOVA. FC horses consumed and wasted more hay daily (16.6 ± 0.5kg) (P <.001), compared with BF (10.4 ± 0.5 kg), and SF (9.30 ± 0.45 kg). FC horses had higher weight gain (P <.001, 23.5 ± 4.6kg), compared to BF (1.2 ± 5.7 kg) and SF (0.37 ± 4.6) kg. FC and SF horses spent more than 50% of the TB foraging, generating a TB similar to grazing horses. BF horses spent less time eating (P <.001), increasing time spent standing, sniffing the ground, and practicing coprophagy (P <.050). BF horses showed the highest aggression (P <.043). CCR was not different among treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stabled horses are predisposed to gastrointestinal disorders related to hay consumption. Horses produce saliva when chewing which contains sodium bicarbonate to buffer stomach acid, lubricate a food bolus, and aid in digestion. Chewing hay over a prolonged period allows for buffering of stomach acid to aid in prevention of gastric ulcers. Additionally, increased chewing results in food particle size reduction and improves lubrication to potentially decrease the incidence of impaction colic. Hay nets have been promoted to slow the rate of hay consumption, with many styles of nets and slow feeders currently marketed for horses. No research has yet demonstrated whether hay nets cause the horse to increase their chewing frequency and chewing duration, or whether the slowing effect is simply due to restriction in the amount of forage they can ingest per bite. The objective of this study was to compare chew frequency (CF, total number of chews/kg consumed) and chew duration (CD, total minutes chewed/kg consumed) of horses eating bermudagrass hay in 3 styles of hay nets [large mesh (LM), small mesh (SM), bottom hole (BH)] as compared with a control of loose hay (CTL). Before initiating this project, trial data was collected from 2 horses over 4 d and demonstrated that horses acclimate quickly to hay nets. No differences were seen in CF from day one through d 4 (P = 0.49). Eight horses were then divided into 2 trials, with the4 horses in each trial rotating through treatments in a Latin square design.Each horse was given a 24-h acclimation period to a treatment, and then their chewing patterns were recorded for the following 24 h using an automated halter fit with a pressure-sensor noseband (EquiwatchTM, Liestal, Switzerland). Refused hay was weighed back, and CF and CD were calculated per kg of hay consumed. Data were analyzed using Minitab v.21 (State College, PA, USA) as a mixed model ANOVA with net type as the fixed effect and a post hoc Tukey's test to compare treatments. Data with P < 0.05 were considered statistically different. No treatment difference was noted in amount of hay consumed, with horses chewing an average of 6.8 ± 0.3 kg per treatment. Results indicate no difference between treatments in CF (P = 0.72). CD showed no overall treatment effect (P = 0.27), however, when individual treatments were compared, a statistical difference between SM and CTL was noted (262 vs 189 min respectively, P = 0.001). Results of this study indicate that slow feeders do not influence the number of chews a horse performs while masticating hay, but small mesh feeders do increase the amount of time spent chewing as compared with loose hay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited availability of forage may be the main factor related to the development and prevalence of abnormal and stereotypic behaviors in horses. Offering forage ad libitum could be the best option regarding horses' welfare, but is associated with increases in body weight (BW), BCS, waste of hay and obesity. Devices such as hay-nets/bags, box- and slow-feeders have been developed to decrease food waste, but there is little knowledge on how they can affect the horses' time-budget (TB). TB is the daily amount of time an animal engages in all behavioral activities. Differences in the TB of domesticated horses compared with feral conspecifics in their natural environment can be used to reveal welfare impairment. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feeding free choice hay (FC), to a slow feeder (SF) and an automated box feeder (BF) on equine behavior by 24-h continuous sampling (CS). The study was designed as a 3 × 3 latin square design with 15 mixed Thoroughbred polo horses (14.9 ± 4.1 years) divided into 3 social groups of 5 horses (cohabited pens for previous 6 mo) randomly assigned to one of the treatments for 15 d. Horses were hept in dry lots, had access to water, salt and mineral blocks. BW and BCS were assessed biweekly. The animals' behavior was recorded during the last 24 h of the last day of each treatment period and the video analyzed with CS. The time spent in stereotypic,abnormal behaviors and other activities was evaluated second-by-second, averaged in minutes, and used for the determination of the animals' TB. The effects of the different feeders were analyzed in ANOVA in a mixed model with repeated measures. Horses in FC consumed and wasted more hay (16.6 ± 0.5kg/horse/day) (P < 0.001), compared with BF (10.4 ± 0.5 kg/horse/day), and SF (9.30 ± 0.45 kg/horse day), where BF and SF had similar intake and less waste. Horses on FC had the highest weight gain (P < 0.001, 23.5 ± 4.6kg), whereas BF gained 1.2 ± 5.7 kg and SF 0.37 ± 4.6 kg (P = 0.092). Horses in FC spent 744 ± 26 min, and SF 791.16 ± 27 min (P = 0.21), meaning more than 50% of the TB foraging, generating a time distribution similar to grazing horses. Horses on BF treatment spent the lowest time eating (P < 0.001), 371.6 ± 32.3 min, or 25.81% of their TB, increasing (P < 0.050) the time spent in other activities (standing attentive, sniffing the ground, and practicing coprophagy). The level of aggression between conspecifics became higher as the feed became less accessible, with horses in BF showing highest levels of aggression(P < 0.043). Slow feeders are a good option to mimic natural TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]