Mapping of feeding strategies in Swedish riding schools with different housing systems and its impact on horse health and body condition

Sammanfattning: With around 500 riding schools, equestrian sport is one of Sweden’s largest sports organisations and the second largest youth sport. Horses are traditionally held in individual boxes but can also be kept in groups, so-called group housing. Keeping and feeding horses too far from their basic needs can lead to digestive upsets, stereotypic behaviours and feed-related diseases. Concerning diet, assessing the amount of stored fat in horses by Body Condition Scoring (BCS) (graded 1-9) is essential since obesity is correlated with several diseases. This study examines whether there are differences in the feeding strategies, choice of feed, feed ration composition and body condition scores in horses kept in Swedish riding schools with different housing systems. The study also examines possible differences in the hygienic quality of the feed, feeding routines and possible risks for feed-related diseases. Eight Swedish riding schools with either individual or group housing systems participated in the study. Data about feeding and feeding-related aspects were collected, and 80 horses, ten from each riding school, were scored in body condition. Three out of eight riding schools lacked forage analysis, and there was no difference in average BCS, irrespective of the housing system. However, 25% of all body condition-scored horses were overweight. Individually housed horses lacked water at turnout, spent more hours indoors and had more cases of colic. Compared to this, group-housed horses always had free access to water, many more hours kept outdoors, and significantly fewer cases of colic. Group-housed riding schools also mucked out their paddocks to a larger extent than individually-housed riding schools. The quota between roughage and concentrates regarding energy and protein content could only be calculated in three out of eight riding schools due to free access to forage or lack of a forage analysis. In conclusion, riding school staff needs more education and practical training on how to perform body condition scoring in horses. Differences in body condition were not related to the housing system. However, the frequency of colic differed significantly between systems, and the importance of free access to water and hours kept outdoors was highlighted.