Assessment of the modified Forssell’s procedure for the treatment of oral stereotypies in 10 horses.

The research article examines the effectiveness of a modified version of the Forssell’s procedure in treating oral stereotypies in horses, concluding that the success rate is lower than the original procedure, and due to the associated stress for the animals, can no longer be recommended.

Research Methodology

• The study was conducted on ten horses, all of which were suffering from oral stereotypies, a compulsive behaviour that includes crib-biting, wood-chewing, and other repetitive mouth behaviours.
• The researchers chose to use a modified version of Forssell’s procedure, a surgical operation aimed at mitigating these behaviours, rather than the original operation.

Results of the Study

• Upon conducting the procedure, the researchers found varying degrees of success across the sample group of horses. Three horses were completely cured of their oral stereotypies, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of the procedure.
• In two of the horses, the procedure led to considerable improvements. This implies that while the stereotypies were not completely eradicated, their frequency or severity was notably diminished.
• However, in half of the horses, the procedure was unsuccessful in the longer term. Although there were periods of remission ranging from two weeks to six months after the surgery in these horses, they eventually returned to performing the stereotypies.

Comparison with Previous Studies

• The researchers found that the success rate of the modified Forssell’s procedure was lower than that of the original procedure, as shown in other published reports. This suggests that the modifications made to the procedure did not improve its effectiveness.

Consideration of Animal Welfare

• Aside from the varying success rates, the study also considered the ethical implications of employing a surgical solution to treat behavioural issues. The researchers noted that such a surgery may exacerbate stress for the horses.

Article Conclusion

• The modified Forssell’s procedure can no longer be recommended as a viable solution for oral stereotypies in horses, primarily due to its lower rate of success compared to the original procedure, and secondarily due to potential animal welfare concerns.