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Home / Equine Research Bank / Sci Rep / Bit type exerts an influence on self-controlled rein tension...
Scientific reports2020; 10(1); 2420; doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59400-w

Bit type exerts an influence on self-controlled rein tension in unridden horses.

Abstract: Bit configuration and acting rein forces play a crucial role in oral health and comfort of ridden horses. Although it is a big animal welfare issue, dynamic response of horses to different bits has yet not been thoroughly investigated. 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. Horses were exercised at walk and trot on a horizontal treadmill wearing custom made force-sensing resistors (FSR) equipped to side reins. 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. The DJS exhibited larger side rein tension, indicating higher bit contact. Constant temporal occurrence of monophasic maxima at walk and biphasic maxima at trot could be observed in both bits. 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.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-12 PubMed ID: 32051498PubMed Central: PMC7016124DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59400-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study explores the impact of different bit types on the self-controlled rein tension in unridden horses. It suggests this could potentially affect the oral health and comfort of the horse and provides a novel method to measure these forces.

Objective of the Study

  • The main goal of the study was to determine how different bit types impacted the rein tension controlled by horses that were not being ridden.

Methods Used

  • The researchers employed a model to negate the effects riders typically have on rein tension.
  • This study used a sample of ten horses that were considered sound or healthy. These horses were fitted with one of two bit types: a double-jointed snaffle (DJS) or a version of a Mullen mouth snaffle.
  • The horses were made to walk and trot on a treadmill while wearing force-sensing resistors (FSRs) attached to the side reins to measure tension.
  • The FSRs were synchronized with a motion analysis system to gather data on the timing and intensity of the self-controlled rein tension during different stages of the horses’ motion cycles.

Findings of the Study

  • The study demonstrated that the DJS bit type resulted in greater side rein tension, suggesting more bit contact.
  • At both the walk and trot movements, rein tension peaked once (monophasic) for the DJS bit and twice (biphasic) for the Mullen mouth snaffle. These peaks occurred at the same time in each motion cycle, regardless of bit type used.

Implications of the Study

  • From the results of this study, it appears FSRs attached to horse side reins could provide a useful tool for examining the subjective responses of horses to different bit types.
  • This method allows for the study of the horse’s response to the bit without the variable of rider influence, providing cleaner data on the horse’s comfort levels and preferred force levels.

Cite This Article

APA
Kau S, Potz IK, Pospisil K, Sellke L, Schramel JP, Peham C. (2020). Bit type exerts an influence on self-controlled rein tension in unridden horses. Sci Rep, 10(1), 2420. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59400-w

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Pages: 2420

Researcher Affiliations

Kau, Silvio
  • Institute of Topographic Anatomy, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria. silvio.kau@vetmeduni.ac.at.
Potz, Isabella Katharina
  • Movement Science Group, Equine Clinic, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Pospisil, Katharina
  • Movement Science Group, Equine Clinic, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Sellke, Lina
  • Institute of Topographic Anatomy, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Schramel, Johannes Peter
  • Movement Science Group, Equine Clinic, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Peham, Christian
  • Movement Science Group, Equine Clinic, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Welfare
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Exercise Test
  • Horses / physiology
  • Oral Health
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Walking

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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