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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Appl Anim Welf Sci / A cross-sectional epidemiological study of prevalence and se...
Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS2015; 18(3); 259-268; doi: 10.1080/10888705.2015.1004407

A cross-sectional epidemiological study of prevalence and severity of bit-induced oral trauma in polo ponies and race horses.

Abstract: Bit and bridle accessories improperly fitted in ridden horses can cause oral trauma such as bone spurs, commissure ulceration, and tongue lacerations. This study was used to identify, grade, and compare the types of oral traumas commonly found within polo ponies and race horses. Injuries were assessed visually and by palpation on the tongue, lips' commissures, and interdental space. A total of 50 polo ponies and 50 race horses were sampled in the South of England. A Poisson model was successfully fitted to the data (p < .001), and the variables of discipline (p < .001), injury type (p < .001), and age (p < .001) were significant. Race horses with snaffle bits were predisposed to significantly higher severities and prevalence of oral trauma than were polo ponies in gag bits. Only polo ponies were observed with tongue trauma. Race horses had higher severities of injuries in the commissures and bone spurs. Positive correlations were found between age and/or time in sport and induced biting injuries. Polo ponies had been playing longer before the occurrence of injuries.
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Publication Date: 2015-02-13 PubMed ID: 25679445DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2015.1004407Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates how improper use of horse riding equipment such as bits and bridles can lead to oral injuries in horses, specifically polo ponies and race horses.

Research Context

  • Oral trauma caused by improperly fitted riding equipment such as bits and bridles are common in ridden horses. This study evaluates such trauma in polo ponies and race horses.
  • A total of 50 polo ponies and 50 race horses from the south of England were sampled for this cross-sectional epidemiological study.

Methodology

  • The study assessed oral injuries visually and through palpation on the tongue, lips’ commissures, and interdental space in the horses.
  • A Poisson model was used to analyze the data collected.

Key Findings

  • Findings indicated that discipline (whether the horse was a polo pony or race horse), type of injury, and age were significant variables.
  • Race horses experienced higher severity and prevalence of oral trauma compared to polo ponies. This was especially the case for race horses using snaffle bits.
  • Tongue trauma was only observed in polo ponies, while race horses had higher levels of injuries at the commissures and bone spurs.
  • A positive correlation was established between a horse’s age or time spent in sport and biting injuries. Here, it was seen that polo ponies typically played for longer durations before sustaining injuries.

Implications

  • This research provides crucial information on the prevalence and severity of bit-induced oral trauma in ridden horses.
  • Understanding these aspects can guide effective mitigation measures to safeguard the oral health of horses and enhance their performance in sports.

Cite This Article

APA
Mata F, Johnson C, Bishop C. (2015). A cross-sectional epidemiological study of prevalence and severity of bit-induced oral trauma in polo ponies and race horses. J Appl Anim Welf Sci, 18(3), 259-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2015.1004407

Publication

Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS
ISSN: 1532-7604
NlmUniqueID: 9804404
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
Pages: 259-268

Researcher Affiliations

Mata, Fernando
  • a School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Johnson, Claire
    Bishop, Charlotte

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • England / epidemiology
      • Horses / injuries
      • Mouth / injuries
      • Poisson Distribution
      • Prevalence
      • Risk Factors
      • Severity of Illness Index
      • Sports
      • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
      • Wounds and Injuries / etiology
      • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

      Citations

      This article has been cited 12 times.
      1. Seck M, Jobling R, Brown AF. Trialling Locally Made, Low-Cost Bits to Improve Bit-Related Welfare Problems in Cart Horses: Findings from a Study in Senegal.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 20;13(1).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13010002pubmed: 36611612google scholar: lookup
      2. Egenvall A, Byström A, Pökelmann M, Connysson M, Kienapfel-Henseleit K, Karlsteen M, McGreevy P, Hartmann E. Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:987852.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.987852pubmed: 36304413google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.879048pubmed: 35647095google scholar: lookup
      4. Holmes TQ, Brown AF. Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 5;12(9).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12091186pubmed: 35565612google scholar: lookup
      5. Uldahl M, Bundgaard L, Dahl J, Clayton HM. Assessment of Skin and Mucosa at the Equine Oral Commissures to Assess Pathology from Bit Wear: The Oral Commissure Assessment Protocol (OCA) for Analysis and Categorisation of Oral Commissures.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 3;12(5).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12050643pubmed: 35268211google scholar: lookup
      6. Uldahl M, Bundgaard L, Dahl J, Clayton HM. Pre-Competition Oral Findings in Danish Sport Horses and Ponies Competing at High Level.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 1;12(5).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12050616pubmed: 35268185google scholar: lookup
      7. Tuomola K, Mäki-Kihniä N, Valros A, Mykkänen A, Kujala-Wirth M. Bit-Related Lesions in Event Horses After a Cross-Country Test.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:651160.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.651160pubmed: 33869325google scholar: lookup
      8. Standing R, Best R. Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap.. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2019 Jul 25;4(3).
        doi: 10.3390/jfmk4030048pubmed: 33467363google scholar: lookup
      9. Tuomola K, Mäki-Kihniä N, Valros A, Mykkänen A, Kujala-Wirth M. Risk factors for bit-related lesions in Finnish trotting horses.. Equine Vet J 2021 Nov;53(6):1132-1140.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.13401pubmed: 33336423google scholar: lookup
      10. Mellor DJ. Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 29;10(4).
        doi: 10.3390/ani10040572pubmed: 32235343google scholar: lookup
      11. Tuomola K, Mäki-Kihniä N, Kujala-Wirth M, Mykkänen A, Valros A. Oral Lesions in the Bit Area in Finnish Trotters After a Race: Lesion Evaluation, Scoring, and Occurrence.. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:206.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00206pubmed: 31355213google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3390/ani7060041pubmed: 28587125google scholar: lookup
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