Tongue ties do not widen the upper airways in racehorses

Barton, Ann Kristin; Troppenz, Anne; Klaus, Dana; Lindenberg, I; Merle, Roswitha; Gehlen, Heidrun

doi:10.1111/evj.13867

Cited by 2 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…As stated in previous studies, the width of the epiglottis (a) remains the same during exercise and head–neck positions in healthy horses and can therefore be used as reference length for the epiglottis (Barton et al., 2023 , Go et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Measurements were obtained using the graphics software program (ImageJ, rsweb.nih.gov/ij/) as described in other studies (Barton et al., 2023 , Go et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The distance of the perpendicular from the fixed point on the pharyngeal roof to the reference length on the epiglottis (b) was measured, and their quotient was calculated. This quotient has been called pharynx‐epiglottis (PE) ratio (PE = b / a ; Figure 3 ) (Barton et al., 2023 , Go et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both distances were measured, and their quotient was calculated as described by Go et al. (PE ratio = b /a) (Barton et al., 2023 ; Go et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Scholler,

Wittenberg,

Zablotski

et al. 2024

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

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Background/ObjectivesThe public perception relating to the welfare of horses involved with equestrian sports is associated with training methods used and the presentation of horses at events. In this context, very tight nosebands, which are intended to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, also attract a lot of attention. Various studies have evaluated the impact of tight nosebands on stress parameters, whereas the effect of tight nosebands on upper airway function is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to use overground endoscopy to evaluate changes in pharyngeal and laryngeal function when a tight noseband is fitted. Moreover, the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) was applied to investigate signs of discomfort (Dyson et al., 2018).Study designA randomized, blinded, and prospective study was performed.MethodsSixteen warmblood horses consisting of twelve mares and four geldings with a mean age of 11.63 ± 3.53 years were ridden on 2 consecutive days with either loose or tight nosebands (two fingers or no space between bridge of the nose and noseband, respectively) and inserted endoscope in a random order. Videos were taken in a riding arena during a standardized exercise protocol involving beginner level tasks for 30 min in all gaits. For video analysis, freeze frames were prepared and analyzed at the beginning of the expiration phase. Pharyngeal diameter was measured using the pharynx‐epiglottis ratio. Other findings (swallowing, pharyngeal collapse, soft palate movements, and secretion) were also evaluated. Moreover, the RHpE was applied. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed effects models were used. Results with a p‐value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsWhile the pharynx‐epiglottis ratio did not change significantly in horses ridden with loose versus tight nosebands, there was an increase in mean grade and total counts of parameters assessed in the pharyngeal region, for example, grade of secretion (1.5 [±SD 0.89] vs. 3.13 [±SD 0.96]; p = 0.0001), axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (0.29 [±SD 0.73] vs. 1.33 [±SD 1.44]; p = 0.01), and pharyngeal collapse (0.69 [±SD 0.87] vs. 1.88 [±SD 1.54]; p = 0.005) in horses ridden with tight nosebands. There was no RHpE score above 8 indicating musculoskeletal pain, but the RHpE scores were significantly higher in horses ridden with tight nosebands (p < 0.001).Main limitationsVideo quality was limited when horses showed large amounts of secretion. Another limitation was the small number of horses.ConclusionsResults add to the evidence obtained in other studies that tight nosebands do not only cause adverse reactions based on the RHpE score such as head behind the vertical or intense staring but also contribute to changes in the pharyngeal region, such as increased secretion and collapse of pharyngeal structures. This may provide further support for future decisions regarding regulations on nosebands.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Measurements were obtained using the graphics software program (ImageJ, rsweb.nih.gov/ij/) as described in other studies (Barton et al., 2023 , Go et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both distances were measured, and their quotient was calculated as described by Go et al. (PE ratio = b /a) (Barton et al., 2023 ; Go et al., 2014 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Scholler,

Wittenberg,

Zablotski

et al. 2024

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The aim of this prospective, crossover‐blinded clinical study by Ann‐Kristin Barton and co‐workers in Germany was to test the hypothesis that tongue ties increase the pharyngeal diameter and decrease the occurrence of dynamic airway obstruction in racehorses .…”

Section: Tongue Ties In Racehorsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers

Wright¹

2022

Equine Veterinary Education

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Tongue ties do not widen the upper airways in racehorses

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers

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