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Veterinary medicine and science2024; 10(4); e1478; doi: 10.1002/vms3.1478

Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?

Abstract: The public perception relating to the welfare of horses involved with equestrian sports is associated with training methods used and the presentation of horses at events. In this context, very tight nosebands, which are intended to prevent the horse from opening its mouth, also attract a lot of attention. Various studies have evaluated the impact of tight nosebands on stress parameters, whereas the effect of tight nosebands on upper airway function is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to use overground endoscopy to evaluate changes in pharyngeal and laryngeal function when a tight noseband is fitted. Moreover, the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) was applied to investigate signs of discomfort (Dyson et al., 2018). A randomized, blinded, and prospective study was performed. Sixteen warmblood horses consisting of twelve mares and four geldings with a mean age of 11.63 ± 3.53 years were ridden on 2 consecutive days with either loose or tight nosebands (two fingers or no space between bridge of the nose and noseband, respectively) and inserted endoscope in a random order. Videos were taken in a riding arena during a standardized exercise protocol involving beginner level tasks for 30 min in all gaits. For video analysis, freeze frames were prepared and analyzed at the beginning of the expiration phase. Pharyngeal diameter was measured using the pharynx-epiglottis ratio. Other findings (swallowing, pharyngeal collapse, soft palate movements, and secretion) were also evaluated. Moreover, the RHpE was applied. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed effects models were used. Results with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. While the pharynx-epiglottis ratio did not change significantly in horses ridden with loose versus tight nosebands, there was an increase in mean grade and total counts of parameters assessed in the pharyngeal region, for example, grade of secretion (1.5 [±SD 0.89] vs. 3.13 [±SD 0.96]; p = 0.0001), axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (0.29 [±SD 0.73] vs. 1.33 [±SD 1.44]; p = 0.01), and pharyngeal collapse (0.69 [±SD 0.87] vs. 1.88 [±SD 1.54]; p = 0.005) in horses ridden with tight nosebands. There was no RHpE score above 8 indicating musculoskeletal pain, but the RHpE scores were significantly higher in horses ridden with tight nosebands (p < 0.001). Video quality was limited when horses showed large amounts of secretion. Another limitation was the small number of horses. Results add to the evidence obtained in other studies that tight nosebands do not only cause adverse reactions based on the RHpE score such as head behind the vertical or intense staring but also contribute to changes in the pharyngeal region, such as increased secretion and collapse of pharyngeal structures. This may provide further support for future decisions regarding regulations on nosebands.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-17 PubMed ID: 38885311PubMed Central: PMC11182419DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1478Google 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.

The research investigates the impact of tight nosebands on the upper airway function of horses, and whether this causes discomfort or negatively affects their health and performance.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

  • The study was aimed at assessing whether the use of tight nosebands impacts the upper respiratory function in horses. It specifically examined changes in pharyngeal and laryngeal function and evaluated signs of discomfort using the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE).
  • The research followed a randomized, blinded, and prospective study design, involving sixteen warmblood horses.
  • The horses were ridden over two consecutive days with either loose or tight nosebands and inserted endoscope in a random order for overground endoscopy.
  • Videos of each horse were created during a regulated exercise protocol and subsequently analyzed. Pharyngeal diameter, swallowing, pharyngeal collapse, and other parameters were evaluated.

Key Findings

  • The study found that while the pharynx-epiglottis ratio did not change drastically between horses ridden with loose versus tight nosebands, there were notable variations in other parameters in the pharyngeal region.
  • Specifically, there was a noted increase in grade of secretion, axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds, and pharyngeal collapse in horses fitted with tight nosebands.
  • Although there was no RHpE score (a scale assessing signs of discomfort or pain) above 8, signifying musculoskeletal pain, the RHpE scores were significantly higher in horses with tight nosebands, indicating discomfort.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The video quality was affected when horses showed large amounts of secretion, limiting the scope of the study. Additionally, the small number of horses involved may limit the general applicability of the results.
  • Despite these limitations, the research adds to the evidence suggesting that tight nosebands cause not only discomfort as shown by the higher RHpE scores, but also changes in the pharyngeal region such as increased secretion and collapse of pharyngeal structures.
  • This research might influence future decisions about the use and regulation of nosebands in equestrian sports and could potentially improve the welfare of horses involved.

Cite This Article

APA
Scholler D, Wittenberg J, Zablotski Y, May A. (2024). Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses? Vet Med Sci, 10(4), e1478. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1478

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: e1478

Researcher Affiliations

Scholler, Dominik
  • Equine Clinic of Ludwig Maximilians University, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
Wittenberg, Jana
  • Equine Clinic of Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Zablotski, Yury
  • Clinic for Ruminants, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
May, Anna
  • Equine Clinic of Ludwig Maximilians University, Oberschleissheim, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pharynx / physiology
  • Nose / physiology
  • Larynx / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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