FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2007; 39(3); 258-262; doi: 10.2746/042516407x157792

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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2007-05-25 PubMed ID: 17520978DOI: 10.2746/042516407x157792Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Comparative Study
  • 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 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

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 3
Pages: 258-262

Researcher Affiliations

Bonin, S J
  • McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48854, USA.
Clayton, H M
    Lanovaz, J L
      Johnston, T

        MeSH Terms

        • Animal Feed
        • Animals
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Horses / physiology
        • Mastication / physiology
        • Temporomandibular Joint / physiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 18 times.
        1. 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.
          doi: 10.1002/vms3.1102pubmed: 36877631google scholar: lookup
        2. Avedik A, Duque-Correa MJ, Clauss M. Avoiding the lockdown: Morphological facilitation of transversal chewing movements in mammals. J Morphol 2023 Feb;284(2):e21554.
          doi: 10.1002/jmor.21554pubmed: 36645378google scholar: lookup
        3. Kau S, Motter KS, Moser VJ, Kunz JR, Pellachin M, Hartl B. Intra- and Interexaminer Measurement Variability Analysis of an Orthodontic Gauge Device to Determine Incisor Occlusal Surface Angles in the Horse. Vet Sci 2022 Sep 7;9(9).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090481pubmed: 36136698google scholar: lookup
        4. Mihlbachler MC, Rusnack F, Beatty BL. Experimental approaches to assess the effect of composition of abrasives in the cause of dental microwear. R Soc Open Sci 2022 Jun;9(6):211549.
          doi: 10.1098/rsos.211549pubmed: 35706657google scholar: lookup
        5. 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.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.789133pubmed: 35047585google scholar: lookup
        6. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11092729pubmed: 34573695google scholar: lookup
        7. Pollaris E, Broeckx BJG, Vlaminck L. Occlusal Fissures in Equine Cheek Teeth: A Prospective Longitudinal in vivo Study. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:604420.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.604420pubmed: 33282936google scholar: lookup
        8. 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.
          doi: 10.1093/biosci/biaa073pubmed: 32973408google scholar: lookup
        9. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/ani9060298pubmed: 31151265google scholar: lookup
        10. Karme A, Rannikko J, Kallonen A, Clauss M, Fortelius M. Mechanical modelling of tooth wear. J R Soc Interface 2016 Jul;13(120).
          doi: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0399pubmed: 27411727google scholar: lookup
        11. Taylor DEF, Lancaster BE, Ellis AD. The Use of Sound Recorders to Remotely Measure Grass Intake Behaviour in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 4;15(15).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15152273pubmed: 40805063google scholar: lookup
        12. Goldschmidt S, Chew HP, Guy S, Fok A. Characterizing masticatory motion of dogs using optical and electromagnetic motion tracking. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1625335.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1625335pubmed: 40678494google scholar: lookup
        13. Sterkenburgh TR, Ordieres-Meré J, Villalba-Diez J. Molograph 4.0: A demonstration of a non-invasive, automated system for evaluating aspects of the masticatory process in the horse. Vet Anim Sci 2025 Jun;28:100452.
          doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100452pubmed: 40458524google scholar: lookup
        14. Galotti A, Romano M, Baragli P, Palagi E. Yawning in sync: implications for social cohesion in horses. Curr Zool 2025 Apr;71(2):137-151.
          doi: 10.1093/cz/zoae052pubmed: 40264711google scholar: lookup
        15. Jasiński T, Turek B, Kaczorowski M, Brehm W, Skierbiszewska K, Domino M. Equine temporomandibular joint diseases: A systematic review. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1427-1445.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.14462pubmed: 39861936google scholar: lookup
        16. 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.
          doi: 10.1111/evj.14451pubmed: 39710981google scholar: lookup
        17. Takahashi Y, Niwa H, Ebisuda Y, Mukai K, Yoshida T, Raidal S, Padalino B, Ohmura H. Increased freedom of head movement mitigates stress and bacterial load in the airways of horses during transport. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1477653.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1477653pubmed: 39430384google scholar: lookup
        18. Sterkenburgh TR, Hartl B, Peham C, Nowak M, Kyllar M, Kau S. Temporomandibular joint biomechanics and equine incisor occlusal plane maintenance. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023;11:1249316.
          doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1249316pubmed: 37799811google scholar: lookup
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 100,127 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.