17/07/2026
TRACK SYSTEMS are the way to go. I have Tracks for my Thouroghbreds. It's not just for Obesity & Hoof Related Issues - All Equines need to be walking as much as they're happy to.
Recent peer-reviewed evidence suggests that track grazing systems are an effective and welfare friendly approach to managing obesity prone horses and ponies.
In a crossover study of 35 ponies, those on track systems moved significantly more (around 7km/day) when compared to strip grazed ponies (5.3 km/day) on strip and showed fewer aggressive interactions. This study was however too short to demonstrate significant weight loss (Kirton et al 2025).
👉What science says about track systems for my friends on those track liveries which follow the science 🧬 ❤️
Recent peer-reviewed evidence suggests that track grazing systems are an effective and welfare friendly approach to managing obesity prone horses and ponies.
In a crossover study of 35 ponies, those on track systems moved significantly more (around 7km/day) when compared to strip grazed ponies (5.3 km/day) on strip and showed fewer aggressive interactions. This study was however too short to demonstrate significant weight loss (Kirton et al 2025).
A subsequent study of 19 horses at HorseWorld UK found that horses managed on track systems lost an average of 10.7 kg (3.4% of body weight) over the summer, while comparable horses on restricted paddocks gained 6.8 kg (1.5% of body weight), with no negative effects on welfare, behaviour, or hoof health (Cameron et al 2025).
Together, these studies indicate that track systems increase voluntary movement, reduce social conflict, support natural grazing behaviour, and can produce meaningful weight loss in horses susceptible to obesity, laminitis, or metabolic disorders while maintaining overall welfare.
References
Cameron, L.; Challinor, M.; Armstrong, S.; Kennedy, A.; Hollister, S.; Fletcher, K. (2025) Tracking the Track: The Impact of Different Grazing Strategies on Managing Equine Obesity. Animals, 15, 874. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ani15060874
Kirton R, Sandford I, Raffan E, Hallsworth S, Burman OHP, Morgan R. (2025) The impact of restricted grazing systems on the behaviour and welfare of ponies. Equine Vet J;57(3):737–44. 1111/evj.14411
Please support the following tracks who do not spread misinformation (and message me if you want to be added)
PB Paddock Paradise
Abbotts View
Meadow View
Graveney Equine
Horse Haven
Fairlawn Farm
Pensilva Track Livery
Wharf Lane
Humber View
Blairfordel Track Livery
Barefoot Living at Oxhey Top
Cheshire Equine Track Livery
Offham Track Livery
KRH Natural Horse Care
Nurturing Nature Equine
Three Ravens
2by2 Track Livery
Fircrest Track Livery
Field and Forest Track Livery
Timber Edge Track Livery
Boundary View Track
The Humble Hoof
Meaux Track Livery
