Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses

Tuomola, Kati; Mäki-Kihniä, Nina; Valros, Anna; Mykkänen, Anna; Kujala‐Wirth, Minna

doi:10.1111/evj.13401

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Good performance is still often held as an indicator of good welfare (40). Evidence of association between lesion status and competition placement was not found in the present study and a previous study (15) also showed no association with race performance. Therefore, well performing horses are not necessarily free from welfare concerns.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 95%

“…Mares were at higher risk of moderate/severe lesion status than geldings. This finding is in line with that of trotters (15). Different rein tension resulting from differences in horse handling (17,33), education level (34), pain sensation (35), anxiousness (36,37), or excitability ( 37) is a possible mechanism behind these results for mares and ponies.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Bar lesions were observed in 12% of the horses. Horses wearing unjointed bits had more bar lesions mesial to second lower premolar teeth than did other horses, which aligns with observations concerning trotters (15). When pressure is applied to the bit, mucosal tissue may get pressed and pinched or lacerated between the bit and the mesial surface of the second lower premolar (25).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…The risk was lower for ponies than for warmbloods and coldbloods. In previous studies, ponies have exhibited less oral lesions in riding disciplines and harness racing (13,15,17). Mares were at higher risk of moderate/severe lesion status than geldings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Bitrelated lesions in equestrian competitions have previously been examined in Icelandic horses, polo ponies, racehorses, riding horses and trotters (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). Curb bits with ports in Icelandic horses and Crescendo bits, unjointed regulator mullen mouth bits and straight plastic bits in trotters have been associated with higher lesion risk (9,15). Thoroughbred racehorses with snaffle bits had multiple and more severe lesions than polo ponies wearing gag bits (12).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Bit-Related Lesions in Event Horses After a Cross-Country Test

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bit-related oral lesions are common and may impair horse welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral lesions and their risk factors in a sample of Finnish event horses. The rostral part of the oral cavity (the bit area) of 208 event horses (127 warmbloods, 52 coldbloods, and 29 ponies) was examined in a voluntary inspection after the last competition phase, i.e., the cross-country test. Acute lesions were observed in 52% (109/208) of the horses. The lesion status was graded as no acute lesions for 48% (99/208), mild for 22% (45/208), moderate for 26% (55/208) and severe for 4% (9/208) of the horses. The inner lip commissure was the most common lesion location observed in 39% (81/208) of the horses. A multivariable logistic regression model with data of 174 horses was applied to risk factor analysis. Horses wearing thin (10–13 mm) (OR 3.5, CI 1.4–8.7) or thick (18–22 mm) (OR 3.4, CI 1.4–8.0) bits had a higher risk of moderate/severe lesion status than horses wearing middle-sized (14–17 mm) bits (P = 0.003). Breed was associated with moderate/severe lesion status (P = 0.02). The risk was higher for warmbloods (reference group) and coldbloods (OR 2.0, CI 0.88–4.7) compared with ponies (OR 0.2, CI 0.04–0.87). Mares were at higher risk of moderate/severe lesion status (OR 2.2, CI 1.1–4.5) than geldings (reference group) (P = 0.03). Bar lesions were more common in horses with unjointed bits (40%, 8/20) than with basic double-jointed (10%, 5/52), formed double-jointed (8%, 6/78) or single-jointed bits (5%, 2/40) (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.002). The results of this study suggest that thin and thick bits and mare sex should be considered risk factors for mouth lesions. In addition, in this sample ponies had smaller risk for lesions than other horse breeds. We encourage adopting bit area monitoring as a new routine by horse handlers and as a welfare measure by competition organizers for randomly drawn horses.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 95%