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Fluoroscopic study of oral behaviours in response to the presence of a bit and the effects of rein tension

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2010

Jane M Manfredi ,
Diana Rosenstein ,
Joel L Lanovaz ,
Sandra Nauwelaerts  and
Hilary M Clayton
Jane M Manfredi
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824-1314, USA
Diana Rosenstein
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824-1314, USA
Joel L Lanovaz
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824-1314, USA
Sandra Nauwelaerts
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824-1314, USA
Hilary M Clayton*
Affiliation:
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824-1314, USA
*
*Corresponding author: claytonh@cvm.msu.edu
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Abstract

This study investigated intra-oral behaviours in horses wearing different bits with and without rein tension. Six riding horses wore a bridle and three bits: jointed snaffle, KK Ultra and Myler comfort snaffle. Lateral fluoroscopic images (30 Hz) were recorded for 20 s for each bit with loose reins and with 25 ± 5 N bilateral rein tension. The videos were analysed to determine time spent in the following behaviours: mouth quiet, gently mouthing the bit, retracting the tongue, bulging the dorsum of the tongue over the bit, lifting the bit and other behaviours that were performed infrequently. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated that behaviours did not differ between bits, so bit type was not predictive of behaviour, but there were significant effects of horse and rein tension. Horses spent less time quiet and more time mouthing the bit, retracting the tongue and bulging the tongue over the bit when tension was applied.

Keywords

horsebitoral cavityfluoroscopyrider communication
Type
Research Paper
Information
Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 6 , Issue 4 , November 2009 , pp. 143 - 148
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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