The effect of type of bit on welfare and performance of horses

VanderHorst, K.J.; Rijksen, L.; Ariëns, J.; VanRiet, A.; Timmerman, M.; Schreuder, M.; Visser, Kathalijne

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2012.12.050

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Only few studies have described bit types as a risk factor; in Icelandic horses, a curb bit with a port was associated with a higher risk of lesions in the bars of the mandible compared with a snaffle bit or a traditional Icelandic curb bit [3], and a snaffle bit was associated with a higher risk for buccal lesions compared with the various curb bits [3]. Snaffle-bitted racehorses had more lesions than did gag-bitted polo ponies [2] and 11-mm Myler-bitted ridden horses were less stressed and expressed less head-tossing than horses ridden with a traditional 18-mm snaffle bit [8]. Unridden horses on a treadmill independently applied higher rein tension with a double-jointed bit compared with an unjointed but curved mullen mouth snaffle bit [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…3 Snaffle-bitted racehorses had more lesions than did gag-bitted polo ponies, 2 and 11-mm Myler-bitted ridden horses were less stressed and expressed less head-tossing than horses ridden with a traditional 18-mm snaffle bit. 8 Unridden horses on a treadmill independently applied higher rein tension with a double-jointed bit compared with an unjointed but curved mullen mouth snaffle bit. 9 Horses can be controlled without a bit during exercise, 10 but bitting is considered an obligatory safety measure in harness racing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses

Tuomola

Mäki-Kihniä

Valros

et al. 2021

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses

Tuomola

Mäki-Kihniä

Valros

et al. 2021

Equine Veterinary Journal

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“…However, previous studies have suggested that a thick mouthpiece in a small mouth can cause more discomfort than a thin bit ( 4 , 20 ). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that horses ridden with a thinner bit showed signs of reduced stress compared with horses ridden with thicker bits ( 35 ). A tapering bit narrowing in a vertical dimension has a wider contact area with the lip commissures and a wide contact area with the tongue but leaves more space for the tongue between the upper and lower jaw ( 12 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oral Dimensions Related to Bit Size in Adult Horses and Ponies

2022

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A bit that fits is essential for horse welfare and good communication with the ridden, driven or led horses. The bit causes pressure on the sensitive structures of the horse mouth. The aim of this study was to investigate variation in oral dimensions related to bit fit in adult horses and ponies and to evaluate bit fit by comparing oral dimensions with the currently used bit size selected by the horse owner. The study population consisted of 554 horses and ponies, 308 geldings and 246 mares, age 5-29 years, presented for routine dental care. Oral dimensions: mouth width, distance between upper and lower jaw, tongue thickness and lower jaw width, were measured under sedation. Oral dimensions were compared with the most used bit mouthpiece size presented to the researcher by the owner. Bit type and material were recorded. All oral dimensions in adult horses and ponies varied by breed and sex. Mouth width and distance between upper and lower jaw correlated positively with age. Oral dimensions were significantly smaller in mares than in geldings. In coldblood Finnhorses, oral dimensions were greater than in other breeds; in ponies they were smaller. The majority of the oral dimensions correlated positively with each other. Lower jaw width did not correlate with tongue thickness. It was common to use a bit that did not fit the horse: the bit was either too short or too long (over 10 mm longer) compared to mouth width, compressed the tongue in between the upper and lower jaw, or the center link was of similar length compared to lower jaw width, thus possibly causing pressure points or a nutcracker effect on the bars of the lower jaw. Horses had, on average, space for a 14 mm thick bit without compressing the tongue. The results of this study can aid in choosing a horse bit size that fits correctly and does not cause discomfort. It is recommended that the fit of the bit is evaluated regularly as the horse ages.

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“…behaviour indicative of conflict between the horse's interests and the rider's aids. These behaviour patterns include a variety of unwanted changes in locomotory behaviour such as bolting, rushing, running away, jogging, jibbing, napping, baulking, refusing, shying, spinning, freezing, bucking, rearing and bridle lameness (see McGreevy and McLean, (2010) for detailed explanations and functional interpretations) as well as behaviour patterns directly related to the rider's interaction with the horse such as head-tossing or reefing the reins (von Borstel et al, 2009;von Borstel et al, 2011;König von Borstel and Glißman, 2014), mouth-opening and tail-swishing (VanderHorst et al, 2013;Kienapfel et al, 2014;Górecka-Bruzda et al, 2015). Defaecation as a result of the effects the activation of the HPA-axis has on the digestive system, may also be observed (e.g.…”

Section: Behavioural Indicators Of Stress Due To Pain And/or Conflictmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indicators of stress in equitation

Borstel

Visser²,

Hall

2017

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Information on equine stress levels are important in evaluating many aspects of horse management and training. For example, for correct assessment of equine welfare, implications of training and handling procedures, success of training and the interpretation of equine temperament. Stress is a generic concept describing the body's reaction to external stimuli, including both physiological and psychological factors. Therefore, by definition, the assessment of psychological stress in the exercising horse encompasses the problem of teasing apart the psychological and physiological factors both of which result in stress responses.. The present paper reviews the existing literature on various measures of stress taken specifically in the context of equitation science. Particular attention has been paid to short-term effects, and commonly used measurements of short-term stress include heart rate, a number of heart rate variability parameters, blood or saliva cortisol levels, eye temperature, and various behaviour parameters including in particular behaviour patterns presumably indicative of conflict with the rider's/trainer's aids. Inspection of the individual studies' results revealed that disagreement between these different measures of stress is commonplace. For physiological parameters, the largest proportion of agreement (i.e. both parameters simultaneously indicated either higher, non-significant or lower stress compared to a control treatment) was found for heart rate and heart rate variability parameters, while generally limited agreement was found for cortisol and cardiovascular parameters. It appears that cortisol levels may not be particularly useful for assessment of the valence of a situation in the exercising horse as cortisol levels are predominantly linked to activity and exercise levels. Although heart rate variability parameters reflect in theory more closely sympathovagal balance compared to cortisol levels, great care has to be taken regarding the use of appropriate equipment, time-frames, as well as raw data correction. In spite of its widespread and apparently successful use, popular equipment may in fact not be accurate enough under 2 field conditions. Eye temperature is another promising parameter for assessment of psychological stress, but the technique is likewise susceptible to application errors. Given the high susceptibility of physiological parameters to errors at various experimental stages, behavioural rather than physiological parameters may in fact provide more accurate measures of valence when conducting experiments in the exercising horse. Behavioural parameters that appear to be particularly practical in assessing stress in ridden horses' behaviour are frequencies of behaviour patterns indicative of conflict. However, while increased frequencies of behaviour patterns indicative of conflict are a good indicator of stress, the absence of conflict behaviour does not provide proof of the absence of stress due to the possible occurrence of conditions such as Learned Helplessness. In future...

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The effect of type of bit on welfare and performance of horses

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses

Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses

Oral Dimensions Related to Bit Size in Adult Horses and Ponies

Indicators of stress in equitation

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