![]() ![]() A slightly curved Mullen mouth snaffle-bit (MMS) has a reduced risk of pinching the tongue by the central joint link, but can cause severe orodental damage if used improperly 19. It was shown that the length of the central link of a DJS affects distribution of pressure to the tongue and bars 18, 19. The double-jointed snaffle-bit (DJS) is supposed to be a comfortable bit by transferring more pressure more evenly to the tongue than a single jointed snaffle 18. ![]() Ported curb bits most often cause severe damage to the bars whereas snaffle bits are more likely to cause buccal mucosal tears 16. However, the bit type was shown to strongly influence location and severity of oral lesions 16. A study which determined the intraoral response of horses to different bits found that the examined bits (single-jointed, double-jointed and Myler comfort snaffle) did not affect pattern of intraoral behavior 13. Likewise, oral soft tissue structures, such as the mucosal lining of the orolabial commissures or inferior interalveolar margins (bars) and tongue can get severely injured 3, 16. In domestic sports and working horses, a high prevalence of periosteal bone spur formation of the inferior interalveolar margin and erosive lesions or fractures of lower second premolar dental hard tissues and canine teeth could be observed 14– 17. However, rein tension-related response can vary among horses 13, but a rider-independent assessment of the influence of different bits on horse-controlled rein tension is missing. Rein tension can be influenced by many intricate variables, such as the gait type and direction or type of movements 8– 12. Previous investigations identified bit position within the oral cavity and resulting effects on adjacent oral structures as dynamically depending on the applied rein tension 2. Previous investigations reported that individual motion patterns and horse-rider interactions may be altered by the interdependence of bit configuration, acting rein forces, head and neck position of horses as well as the biodynamic laterality of horses and riders 1– 7.ĭepending on the anatomy and functionality of different bit types, factors found to influence orodental health have been explored in several studies. In spite of that, very little is known about the mechanisms of action within the oral cavity and the subjective response of horses. Nowadays a huge variety of bit types made of different materials are used in equitation. 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. Constant temporal occurrence of monophasic maxima at walk and biphasic maxima at trot could be observed in both bits. The DJS exhibited larger side rein tension, indicating higher bit contact. 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. Horses were exercised at walk and trot on a horizontal treadmill wearing custom made force-sensing resistors (FSR) equipped to side reins. ![]() 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. Although it is a big animal welfare issue, dynamic response of horses to different bits has yet not been thoroughly investigated. Bit configuration and acting rein forces play a crucial role in oral health and comfort of ridden horses. ![]()
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