Description
Background: Dorsal nasal pressures beneath the noseband have been reported to be highest on the lateral aspect of the nasal bone, and noseband design has evolved to include padding beneath this area. However, pressures have been mathematically estimated to be high on the ventral aspect of the mandible. There are no quantitative studies that have simultaneously measured dorsal nasal and ventral mandibular pressures beneath a fitted noseband when ridden.Study design: In vivo experimental.
Methods: Twenty-one high-level dressage horses (PSG-Grand-Prix) were recruited and assessed by a veterinarian and ridden by their respective rider. Horses were fitted with two small electronic force mats positioned centrally at two locations beneath a crank noseband: (1) dorsal aspect of the nasal bone and (2) ventral aspect of the mandible. Bridle fit was assessed by two qualified bridle fitters, and noseband tightness was standardised to two-fingers laxity using an ISES taper gauge. Straight-line data were recorded in collected walk, trot and canter with horses wearing a snaffle bridle. Mean nasal and mandibular pressures (kPa) were quantified for twenty-two strides and analysed using a paired t-test with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Mean mandibular pressures beneath the noseband were higher than dorsal nasal pressures (kPa) when in collected walk (nasal: 11.9 ± 2.8 kPa, mandibular: 16.1 ± 4.7 kPa, p ≤ 0.001), trot (nasal: 11.7 ± 5.4 kPa, mandibular: 14.2 ± 7.1 kPa, p = 0.006) and canter (nasal: 12.7 ± 3.5 kPa, mandibular: 14.9 ± 5.5 kPa, p = 0.02).
Main limitations: Only one noseband tightness setting was investigated.
Conclusion: Mandibular noseband pressures were higher than nasal noseband pressures in collected walk, trot and canter, which highlights the need for bridle design features to aid pressure reduction on the mandibles.
Ethical animal research: Approved by Hartpury University's ethics and welfare committee URN 2021–126.
Informed consent: Consent was obtained from riders and owners.
Competing interests: None declared.
Funding: Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange Grant, World Horse Welfare, Canadian Sport Horse Association, British Equestrian and Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to the owners, riders and research assistants.
| Period | 17 Sept 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event title | British Equine Veterinary Congress 2024 |
| Event type | Conference |