Project PAL is split into three phases to allow the investigation of horse and pasture over time. We need as many participants as possible to take part in all three phases of the study.

Phase 1: The online questionnaire.

We are looking to hear from the owners, loaners, sharers and carers of horses and ponies in Scotland to gather information about you, your horses, and your management practices.

Most of us have read and been told about the ideal ways to manage horses and their grazing, but we are also aware that, in practice, this is just not feasible. The juggling act of balancing work and life commitments (not to mention the Scottish weather!) has a huge impact on how we can practically manage our horses. To this end, the aim of Phase 1 is to gather information on real-world horse and pasture management practices in Scotland.

Upon completion of the survey, respondents are entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2Shop voucher, courtesy of WALTHAM™- the science behind SPILLERS™.

Phase 2- The yard visit

Phase 2 of the study this phase of the study involves a yard visit. However, we know what it is like to own horses, and that plans can change at the drop of a hat.  With this in mind, we will strive to be as flexible as possible with the timing of the yard visit. If you don’t have much time, or are in a hurry, we are always happy to reschedule to suit you. We just ask that you give us a minimum of an hour’s notice.

What does Phase 2 involve?

Phase 2 involves two PhD researchers- Ashley and Philippa- visiting you and your horses at your yard, at a time that suits you.

We would like to:

• Bring along a weighbridge and tape measure to be able to record your horse’s weight, and take body as well as hoof measurements together with some photographs.
• Collect a freshly voided manure sample, and (if we are lucky enough to catch it) a urine sample too!
• We may also ask to collect some small samples of grass and soil from your fields.
• We will also ask you some very general questions that will explore your horse’s particular routine and pasture management.

Depending on how many horses you allow us to include in this study (we will look at a maximum of 6 horses per yard), Phase 2 will take a maximum of 2-3 hours.

What type of samples will be taken?

• Manure samples – these will be collected after they have been freely passed by your horse
• Urine samples- these will be collected if your horse happens to urinate during our visit. However, we will skip this sample if we are unlikely to be successful or if your horse is nervous.
• Weight- we will measure your horse’s weight using a mobile weighbridge
• Measurements- we will use a tape measure to collect your horse’s heart-girth, belly-girth, and neck circumference. We may, if your horse will let us, take hoof measurements too
• Body condition score- this will be collected through visual measurement and palpation (feeling)
• Pasture and soil- these may be collected from the field that your horse is turned out into

What happens after the yard visit?

After our yard visit, we would appreciate you allowing us to contact you over the following 18 months to check how you and your horses are getting along. The purpose of this is to keep track of any changes you make to your management routine.

If you are willing, we would also like to collect occasional manure samples from your horses across the 18 months. Depending on what suits you, this can be carried out by us, or we can leave a sampling kit with you. We would then come and pick up, when convenient, the manure from your horse.

This section of Phase 2 will be key in developing our understanding of laminitis.

Phase 3: Laminitis

If any of your horses develop laminitis during the study, we would ask that you call or email to let us know as soon as possible.

We understand that it can be stressful when your horse shows signs of pain, and calling us might be the last thing on your mind, but we would urge that you contact us on the same day that your horse shows signs of laminitis. Once you have contacted us, we would like to collect new information about your horse’s laminitis, and repeat the samples that we took on our first visit. Again, we will ensure that this is as convenient as possible for you.

Phase 3 of the study will allow us to investigate the key changes that occur in horses’ faecal bacteria, as well as any changes in the pasture they were grazed on prior to developing laminitis.