Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowledge of UK Horse Owners When Feeding Haylage to Their Horses

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Despite our improved understanding of equid digestive health and new feeding systems, the level of obesity in the UK horse population remains high. This study aimed to determine how owners are feeding their horses, what influences feeding practices, owner’s knowledge of haylage and what areas of feeding require supplementary education. Data were collected in 2020 from 1338 UK horse owners via two online surveys. Survey 1 was on general feeding practices, while Survey 2 was specifically on feeding haylage. Equal numbers of leisure and performance horse owners completed both surveys. In Survey 1, 67% were fed hay as the only forage, 30% were fed forage (hay/haylage) + balancer, 36% were fed both haylage and hay that was done for managing the energy intake and 84% added a cube or coarse mix feed; forage analyses were uncommon, as 88% had no analyses: 74% did not see the need for it and 16% did not know analyses could be done. Of those (Survey 2) who were not feeding haylage, 66% said they were not sure how to feed it, 68% worried about aerobic spoilage and 79% said the bale size was unsuitable. Body weight measurements, as well as feed analyses (Survey 1 and Survey 2) were rarely performed (11%). Aspects of ration formulation, the value of feed analyses and how to interchange hay and haylage require additional education to owners if diets for horses are to be improved. ABSTRACT: Despite our improved understanding of equid digestive health and accurate rations formulations, obesity in the UK horse population remains high. Study aims: (1) to determine how owners are feeding their horses and what influences their choices, (2) to understand owners’ knowledge of haylage and (3) to identify key areas that require additional education. Data were collected in 2020 from 1338 UK horse owners via two online surveys. Survey 1 was on general feeding practices, and Survey 2 was specifically on the feeding of haylage. Data were processed using chi square analyses + Bonferroni tests, with a significance p < 0.05. Equal numbers of leisure and performance horse owners completed both surveys. For Survey 1, 67% fed hay as the only forage, 30% fed forage (hay/haylage) + balancer, 36% fed haylage and hay to manage energy intake, 84% added a cube or coarse mix, 88% did not do forage analyses, 74% did not see the need for it and 16% did not know analyses could be done. In Survey 2, those who were not feeding haylage, 66% were not sure how to feed it, 68% worried about aerobic spoilage and 79% said the bale size was unsuitable. Body weight measurements (Survey 1 and Survey 2) were rarely performed (11%). Aspects of ration formulations, the value of feed analyses and how to interchange hay and haylage require additional education to owners for improved ration compilation.