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Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(4); 1127-1137; doi: 10.1111/evj.14451

Facial pressure beneath a cavesson noseband adjusted to different tightness levels during standing and chewing.

Abstract: Noseband adjustment should avoid discomfort and allow some jaw movement. Objective: To determine pressure beneath a cavesson noseband at five tightness levels during standing and chewing. It was hypothesised that increased noseband tightness is associated with increases in nasal and mandibular pressures while standing and chewing, accompanied by increases in eye temperature and blink rate. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Eight highly-trained dressage horses wore a snaffle bridle with their own bit. Pressure mats over the nasal bones and beneath the mandibular rami recorded sub-noseband pressures (50 Hz) for five tightness levels (2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.0 finger-equivalents from loosest to tightest) measured using a taper gauge during quiet standing and chewing a treat. Eye temperature and blink rate were recorded synchronously. Data were analysed using Friedmans two-way ANOVA with Wilcoxon post hoc tests and Bonferroni adjustment for repeated measures. Significance level p ≤ 0.01. Results: During standing, total force increased from (mean ± SD) 5.8 ± 4.4 N (nasal) and 12.3 ± 8.2 N (mandibular) at 2.0 finger-equivalents to 45.1 ± 24.9 N (nasal) and 70.7 ± 25.7 N (mandibular) at 0.0-finger-equivalents. Forces and pressures were higher on the mandibles than nasal bones although differences did not always reach statistical significance. Horses willingly ingested and chewed a treat at all noseband tightness levels generating forces ~100 N and pressure >40 kPa without increases in eye temperature or blink rate that would suggest discomfort. Post hoc tests indicated significantly higher pressure for 0.0 finger-equivalents than 2.0 finger-equivalents (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Small sample size. Nosebands always tested from loosest to tightest. Conclusions: Mandibular pressure exceeded nasal pressure and values at both sites increased with noseband tightness. Horses accepted high noseband pressures when chewing a treat with a cavesson adjusted from 0.0 to 2.0 finger-equivalents. Blink rate and eye temperature suggest horses were not distressed when chewing at 2.0 to 0.0 finger-equivalents tightness.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-12-22 PubMed ID: 39710981PubMed Central: PMC12135742DOI: 10.1111/evj.14451Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 five different noseband tightness levels on pressure beneath it on the facial areas of trained dressage horses. The research finds that increased noseband tightness correlates with higher nasal and mandibular pressures in the horses while they are standing and chewing, with generally higher pressures on the mandibles than the nasal bones.

Methodology

  • The study is experimental in nature and involved eight highly-trained dressage horses. Their snaffle bridle was fitted with their usual bit.
  • Pressure mats placed over the horses’ nasal bones and beneath the mandibular rami recorded the pressures under the noseband at 50 Hz for five tightness levels measured from loosest (2.0 finger-equivalents) to tightest (0.0 finger-equivalents). These measurements were taken while the horses stood quietly and chewed a treat.
  • The researchers also recorded the horses’ eye temperature and blink rate simultaneously to indicate any distress.
  • Data collected were analysed using Friedmans two-way ANOVA with Wilcoxon post hoc tests and Bonferroni adjustment for the repeated measures. The researchers set the significance level at p ≤ 0.01.

Results

  • Results showed that during standing, the total force increased significantly from an average of 5.8 N (nasal) and 12.3 N (mandibular) at 2.0 finger-equivalents tightness to 45.1 N (nasal) and 70.7 N (mandibular) at 0.0 finger-equivalents tightness.
  • In general, forces and pressures were higher on the mandibles than the nasal bones, although not all differences reached statistical significance.
  • Despite the increased force and pressure, the horses did not show signs of discomfort such as higher eye temperature or increased blink rate even at the tightest noseband setting.
  • The post hoc tests further revealed significant higher pressure for noseband tightness at 0.0 finger-equivalents than at 2.0 finger-equivalents (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

  • One limitation of the study could be the small sample size and the fact that nosebands were always tested from loosest to tightest.
  • The results showed that mandibular pressure exceeded nasal pressure and the pressure values at both sites increased with the tightness of the noseband.
  • However, it was observed that the horses accepted high noseband pressures when chewing a treat, with the cavesson adjusted from 0.0 to 2.0 finger-equivalents.
  • This suggests that carefully adjusted noseband tightness may not cause distress or discomfort to the horses, as suggested by unchanged blink rates and eye temperatures even at the highest tightness level.

Cite This Article

APA
Clayton HM, Murray R, Williams JM, Walker V, Fisher M, Fisher D, Nixon J, Mackechnie-Guire R. (2024). Facial pressure beneath a cavesson noseband adjusted to different tightness levels during standing and chewing. Equine Vet J, 57(4), 1127-1137. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14451

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 4
Pages: 1127-1137

Researcher Affiliations

Clayton, Hilary M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Murray, Rachel
  • Rossdales LLP, Suffolk, UK.
Williams, Jane M
  • Hartpury University, Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Gloucester, UK.
Walker, Vicki
  • Hartpury University, Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Gloucester, UK.
Fisher, Mark
  • Woolcroft Equine Services, Wisbech, UK.
Fisher, Diane
  • Woolcroft Equine Services, Wisbech, UK.
Nixon, Jane
  • Buckingham Equine Vets, Overton Fields, Buckingham, UK.
Mackechnie-Guire, Russell
  • Hartpury University, Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Gloucester, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Mastication / physiology
  • Pressure
  • Male
  • Female
  • Posture
  • Face / physiology

Grant Funding

  • Equestrian Canada
  • World Horse Welfare
  • British Equestrian Federation
  • Hartpury University
  • The Worshipful Company of Saddlers

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Henshall C, McGreevy P, Shea G, Doherty O, Christensen JW, Fenner K, Warren-Smith A, McLean A. Commentary on MacKechnie-Guire et al. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse's Face. Animals 2015, 15, 537. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 28;16(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16030412pubmed: 41681393google scholar: lookup
  2. Doherty O, Conway R, McGreevy P. Using an Equine Cadaver Head to Investigate Associations Between Sub-Noseband Space, Noseband Tension, and Sub-Noseband Pressure at Three Locations. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 19;15(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15142141pubmed: 40723604google scholar: lookup
  3. MacKechnie-Guire R, Clayton H, Williams J, Marlin D, Fisher M, Fisher D, Walker V, Murray RC. Comparison of Rein Forces and Pressure Beneath the Noseband and Headpiece of a Snaffle Bridle and a Double Bridle. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 5;15(7).
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  4. MacKechnie-Guire R, Clayton H, Williams J, Marlin D, Fisher M, Fisher D, Walker V, Murray R. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse's Face. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 13;15(4).
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