Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho

Lesotho is proud of its horses, and there are many skilled riders in rural areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2020, involving 321 horse owners. The objective of the study was to assess the housing and feeding management of horses in Lesotho. The evaluation of fee...

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Main Authors: Moleboheng J. Bolibe, Setsumi Molapo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Rasayely 2023-08-01
Series:International Journal of Equine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/80
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author Moleboheng J. Bolibe
Setsumi Molapo
author_facet Moleboheng J. Bolibe
Setsumi Molapo
author_sort Moleboheng J. Bolibe
collection DOAJ
description Lesotho is proud of its horses, and there are many skilled riders in rural areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2020, involving 321 horse owners. The objective of the study was to assess the housing and feeding management of horses in Lesotho. The evaluation of feeding management focused on production systems, types of commercial feeds, and access to water. The housing conditions assessment was based on the horses' environment. The majority of horses were kept under a semi-enclosed framework. In rural, semi-urban, and urban areas, grazing alone failed to meet the nutritional needs of horses by 70.1%, 89.4%, and 85.1%, respectively. Regarding housing, the majority of horses were tied, while only a few were kept in clean stalls (8.2%, 3.1%, and 4.1%) with proper bedding. Based on the data obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the feeding and housing conditions for horses in Lesotho are inadequate. Therefore, horse owners should receive training on how to improve the feeding and housing practices for their horses.
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spelling doaj.art-e741b93da302437f98102e85bdc64e242023-11-21T10:47:57ZengRasayelyInternational Journal of Equine Science2805-31092805-31172023-08-012219–2319–2380Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in LesothoMoleboheng J. Bolibe0Setsumi Molapo1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, LesothoDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, LesothoLesotho is proud of its horses, and there are many skilled riders in rural areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2020, involving 321 horse owners. The objective of the study was to assess the housing and feeding management of horses in Lesotho. The evaluation of feeding management focused on production systems, types of commercial feeds, and access to water. The housing conditions assessment was based on the horses' environment. The majority of horses were kept under a semi-enclosed framework. In rural, semi-urban, and urban areas, grazing alone failed to meet the nutritional needs of horses by 70.1%, 89.4%, and 85.1%, respectively. Regarding housing, the majority of horses were tied, while only a few were kept in clean stalls (8.2%, 3.1%, and 4.1%) with proper bedding. Based on the data obtained in this study, it can be concluded that the feeding and housing conditions for horses in Lesotho are inadequate. Therefore, horse owners should receive training on how to improve the feeding and housing practices for their horses.https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/80horseevaluationfeedinghousing
spellingShingle Moleboheng J. Bolibe
Setsumi Molapo
Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho
International Journal of Equine Science
horse
evaluation
feeding
housing
title Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho
title_full Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho
title_fullStr Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho
title_short Evaluating the Feeding Management and Housing Conditions of Horses in Lesotho
title_sort evaluating the feeding management and housing conditions of horses in lesotho
topic horse
evaluation
feeding
housing
url https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/80
work_keys_str_mv AT molebohengjbolibe evaluatingthefeedingmanagementandhousingconditionsofhorsesinlesotho
AT setsumimolapo evaluatingthefeedingmanagementandhousingconditionsofhorsesinlesotho