Comparison of mandibular motion in horses chewing hay and pellets.
Abstract: Previous studies have suggested that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) kinematics depend on the type of food being masticated, but accurate measurements of TMJ motion in horses chewing different feeds have not been published. Objective: The temporomandibular joint has a larger range of motion when horses chew hay compared to pellets. Methods: An optical motion capture system was used to track skin markers on the skull and mandible of 7 horses as they chewed hay and pellets. A virtual marker was created on the midline between the mandibles at the level of the 4th premolar teeth to represent the overall motion of the mandible relative to the skull during the chewing cycle. Results: Frequency of the chewing cycles was lower for hay than for pellets. Excursions of the virtual mandibular marker were significantly larger in all 3 directions when chewing hay compared to pellets. The mean velocity of the virtual mandibular marker during the chewing cycle was the same when chewing the 2 feeds. Conclusions: The range of mediolateral displacement of the mandible was sufficient to give full occlusal contact of the upper and lower dental arcades when chewing hay but not when chewing pellets. Conclusions: These findings support the suggestion that horses receiving a diet high in concentrate feeds may require more frequent dental prophylactic examinations and treatments to avoid the development of dental irregularities associated with smaller mandibular excursions during chewing.
Publication Date: 2007-05-25 PubMed ID: 17520978DOI: 10.2746/042516407x157792Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the motion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in horses when eating different types of feed, observing more considerable movement when horses chew hay than pellets. It suggests horses consuming high amounts of concentrated feeds like pellets could be more prone to dental issues due to smaller mandibular movements during chewing.
Objective and Methodology
The aim of this study was to understand and compare the movement of the temporomandibular joint when horses are chewing different types of feed – hay and pellets.
- An optical motion capture system was employed, using skin markers fixed on the skull and mandible of the horse for tracking the motion.
- Seven horses were used as subjects for this study.
- The larger motion of the mandible relative to the skull, during the chewing cycle, was represented by a virtual marker placed midline between the mandibles, at the level of the 4th premolar teeth.
Results
The study drew several observations:
- The frequency of chewing cycles was found to be lower for hay than for pellets.
- The range of motion of the virtual mandibular marker was significantly more considerable in all three directions when the horses chewed hay than when they chewed pellets.
- The average speed of the virtual mandibular marker during the chewing cycle was found to be the same regardless of the feed being chewed.
Conclusions
The study concluded that:
- The displacement of the mandible was enough to ensure full occlusal contact of the upper and lower dental arcades when chewing hay, but this was not true when the horses chewed pellets.
- Frequent dental examinations and treatments might be necessary for horses that receive a diet high in concentrated feeds like pellets to prevent dental irregularities. This is due to the smaller movements of the mandible when chewing such feeds compared to something like hay.
Cite This Article
APA
Bonin SJ, Clayton HM, Lanovaz JL, Johnston T.
(2007).
Comparison of mandibular motion in horses chewing hay and pellets.
Equine Vet J, 39(3), 258-262.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x157792 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48854, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Horses / physiology
- Mastication / physiology
- Temporomandibular Joint / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Petz V, Khiaosa-Ard R, Iben C, Zebeli Q. Changes in eating time, chewing activity and dust concentration in horses fed either alfalfa cubes or long-stem hay. Vet Med Sci 2023 May;9(3):1154-1162.
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- Sterkenburgh T, Schulz-Kornas E, Nowak M, Staszyk C. A Computerized Simulation of the Occlusal Surface in Equine Cheek Teeth: A Simplified Model. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:789133.
- Glatter M, Bochnia M, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Greef JM, Zeyner A. Feed Intake Parameters of Horses Fed Soaked or Steamed Hay and Hygienic Quality of Hay Stored following Treatment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 18;11(9).
- Pollaris E, Broeckx BJG, Vlaminck L. Occlusal Fissures in Equine Cheek Teeth: A Prospective Longitudinal in vivo Study. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:604420.
- Kahn S, Ehrlich P, Feldman M, Sapolsky R, Wong S. The Jaw Epidemic: Recognition, Origins, Cures, and Prevention. Bioscience 2020 Sep;70(9):759-771.
- Łuszczyński J, Pieszka M, Petrych W, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M. The Frequency of Errors in Determining Age Based on Selected Features of the Incisors of Icelandic Horses. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 30;9(6).
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- Clayton HM, Murray R, Williams JM, Walker V, Fisher M, Fisher D, Nixon J, Mackechnie-Guire R. Facial pressure beneath a cavesson noseband adjusted to different tightness levels during standing and chewing. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):1127-1137.
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