Study links track grazing to better welfare indicators in ponies

A new Equine Veterinary Journal study suggests that how pasture is restricted may matter as much as how much grass ponies can access. In a crossover trial, four groups of pasture-kept ponies spent four weeks on strip-grazing and four weeks on a track system, with researchers measuring behavior, movement, and welfare indicators. Ponies on the track system spent more time moving, traveled farther over 24 hours, and showed less overt agonistic behavior than they did on strip-grazing, while the authors concluded that track systems may offer both physical and psychological welfare benefits. The paper was accepted in August 2024, appeared online in early view in late 2024, and was published in the May 2025 print issue of EVJ. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Why it matters: For equine veterinarians and welfare-focused practices, the findings add evidence that restricted grazing plans for overweight or metabolically vulnerable ponies shouldn't be evaluated on intake control alone. Equine obesity is closely tied to conditions including equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis, but grazing restriction can also affect normal movement, social behavior, and overall welfare. This study doesn't show a short-term weight advantage for track systems, but it does suggest that track layouts may better preserve natural behavior than strip-grazing while still supporting weight-management goals. (pure.sruc.ac.uk)

What to watch: The next question is whether longer-term studies show that track systems can improve body condition and metabolic outcomes, not just behavior and activity, over a full grazing season. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)