Bit configuration and acting rein forces play a crucial role in oral health and comfort of ridden horses. Although it is a big animal welfare issue, dynamic response of horses to different bits has yet not been thoroughly investigated. This convenience sample experimental study describes a model to overcome the almost uncontrollable influence of riders on rein tension and evaluates self-controlled maximum side rein tension of ten sound horses randomly bitted with a double-jointed (DJS) and a version of a Mullen mouth snaffle-bit under unridden conditions. Horses were exercised at walk and trot on a horizontal treadmill wearing custom made force-sensing resistors (FSR) equipped to side reins. FSR were synchronized with a camera-based motion analysis system providing information on amplitudes and temporal occurrence of self-controlled maximum side rein tensile forces during different phases of separated motion cycles. The DJS exhibited larger side rein tension, indicating higher bit contact. Constant temporal occurrence of monophasic maxima at walk and biphasic maxima at trot could be observed in both bits. Within the limitations of this study, application of FSR linked to side reins in unridden horses may provide a promising tool when studying subjective response of horses to different bits.
Introduction The fixation of the bridle, particularly the noseband, is important in the horse‐rider interaction. The goal of this study was to show the influence of noseband tightness on tensile forces elicited in side reins under traction to position the horse's head. Methods Ten Warmblood horses (2 mares, 8 geldings; mean age: 12.4 ± 5.3 years) were assessed during walk and trot on a treadmill. Side reins were used to position the horse's head so that the nose was nearly vertical. Measurements were made with a correctly tightened noseband (two fingers space between the noseband and nasal bone = N1) and with a tight noseband (= N2). Rein forces were measured with an electronic sensor based on a force sensing resistor (27 g, sample rate 120 Hz, Interlink Electronics corp.), synchronized with a kinematic system (10 cameras, 120 Hz, Motion Analysis corp.). The force sensors were calibrated with masses of 1 Kg (=9.81 N) and 4 Kg (=39.24 N). Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS. Normality of data was checked with the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov‐test and data were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA (P<0.05). Results Side rein forces in N1 were significantly higher than in N2 during walk and trot. Maximum forces at walk were 8.6 ± 0.9 N for N1 and 6.7 ± 0.95 N for N2. At trot the forces (7.2 ± 0.95 N for N1; 5.96 ± 0.9 N N2) were significantly reduced compared to walk. There was no significant difference between left and right rein forces. Conclusions This study demonstrated that noseband tightness has an influence on rein tension. The rein forces that were exerted were lower than in ridden horses. Ethical Animal Research This study was approved by the local ethics commission. Sources of funding: University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna. Competing interests: none.
Introduction The effect of bits on the mouth of the horse is a source of controversy in animal welfare discussions. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of two different bits on tensile forces in side reins applied to exercising horses. Methods Ten Warmblood horses (2 mares, 8 geldings; mean age: 12.4 ± 5.3 years) were assessed during walk and trot on a treadmill. Side reins were used to position the horse's head so that the nose was nearly vertical. Two different bits were utilised: a double jointed snaffle (bit 1) and a mullen mouth snaffle (bit 2). Rein forces were measured with an electronic sensor based on a force sensing resistor (27 g, sample rate 120 Hz, Interlink Electronics corp.), synchronized with a kinematic system (10 cameras, 120 Hz, Motion Analysis corp.). The force sensors were calibrated with masses of 1 Kg (=9.81 N) and 4 Kg (=39.24 N). Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS. Normality of data was checked with the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov‐test and data were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA (P<0.05). Results Maximum tensile forces differed significantly between the two bits. Maximum forces at walk were 16 ± 1.9 N using bit 1 and 15.7 ± 1.9 N using bit 2. At trot the forces (12.7 ± 2.0 N bit 1; 10.4 ± 1.8 N bit 2) were significantly reduced compared to walk. There was no significant difference between left and right rein forces. Conclusions The type of bit has an effect on the tensile forces in the side reins and hence on the forces exerted on the mouth of the horse. Ethical Animal Research This study was approved by the local ethics commission. Sources of funding: University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna. Competing interests: none.
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