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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Lesions associated with the use of bits, nosebands, spurs an...
Equine veterinary journal2018; 51(2); 154-162; doi: 10.1111/evj.12827

Lesions associated with the use of bits, nosebands, spurs and whips in Danish competition horses.

Abstract: Information is needed to guide sport administrators in formulating rules for equipment use in competitions. Objective: To seek associations between spurs, bits, nosebands and whips with injuries in horses during competitions in four equestrian sports. Methods: Cross sectional study. Methods: Post competition evaluations were performed in 3143 horse/rider combinations competing in Danish Equestrian Federation competitions in dressage, showjumping, eventing and endurance by trained evaluators who recorded the presence and type of spurs, bits, nosebands, and whips. Further evaluations recorded noseband tightness, (in three categories <2 cm, 2-3 cm, >3 cm), the presence of hair or blood on spurs; hair loss, lesions or blood on the ribcage behind the girth; abrasions and/or blood at the commissures of the lips; and swelling, lesions or blood on the forequarters or hindquarters. Statistical analysis was performed to determine relationships between discipline (dressage, showjumping, eventing, endurance), level of competition (level 0-7), type/tightness of equipment, and prevalence of injuries. Results: The presence of hair (3.2% of horse/rider combinations) and blood (0.4% of horse/rider combinations) on spurs were highly associated. Longer spurs and lower competition levels were significantly associated with hair on the spurs and worn hair on the horse's ribcage. Oral lesions or blood were visible at the commissures of the lips in 9.2% of horses and increased with level of competition but did not differ between bit types or bitless bridles. Looser upper noseband category was associated with decreased risk of oral lesions (odds ratio [OR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.51-0.86, P = 0.002). However, the absence of a cavesson increased the risk of lesions at the commissures of the lips 2.39 times compared with the loosest noseband (95% CI 1.4-4.11, P = 0.002). Conclusions: The rules of the equestrian federation did not permit a full intraoral examination. Selection of rider/horse combination was not random. Conclusions: Lesions of the skin or mucosa at the commissures of the lips may be decreased by limiting noseband tightness and lesions on the chest wall may be decreased by limiting the length of spurs.
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2018-03-23 PubMed ID: 29502345DOI: 10.1111/evj.12827Google 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.

This research explores the correlations between injuries in horses during competitions and the use of bits, nosebands, spurs, and whips in Danish Equestrian Federation competitions. The results suggest that loosening the noseband and reducing the length of spurs can mitigate lesions on the commissures of the lips and chest wall of the horses.

Research Methodology

  • This study is a cross-sectional evaluation performed in 3143 horse/rider combinations that participated in various sports like dressage, showjumping, eventing, and endurance.
  • Trained evaluators recorded the presence and kind of spurs, bits, nosebands and whips, in post-competition evaluations.
  • Further assessments also included the degree of noseband tightness, the presence of hair or blood on spurs, hair loss, lesions or blood on the ribcage behind the girth, abrasions and/or blood at the commissures of the lips, and swelling, lesions or blood on the forequarters or hindquarters.
  • Statistical analysis was utilized to identify the correlation between the discipline (eventing, dressage, showjumping, endurance), competition level (0-7 scale), type and tightness of equipment, and the incidence of injuries.

Research Findings

  • The study identified a significant correlation between the presence of hair or blood on spurs. Frequently, horses with longer spurs, and those at a lower competition level, exhibited hair on the spurs and hair loss on the ribcage.
  • Approximately 9.2% of horses showed observable lesions or blood at the commissures of the lips. This incidence increased with the level of competition but was not notably different across bit types types or bitless bridles.
  • The study revealed that a looser upper noseband was correlated with a reduced risk of oral lesions.
  • In contrast, the absence of a cavesson increased the risk of lesions at the lip corners at a remarkable rate compared to the loosest noseband.

Research Conclusions

  • Unfortunately, the study was unable to conduct a full intraoral examination due to the rules of the equestrian federation, and the selection of horse/rider combinations was not randomised.
  • The study concluded that the number of skin or mucosal lesions at the commissures of the lips can be reduced by limiting the tightness of the noseband. Similarly, regulating the length of the spurs could also result in fewer lesions on the chest wall of the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Uldahl M, Clayton HM. (2018). Lesions associated with the use of bits, nosebands, spurs and whips in Danish competition horses. Equine Vet J, 51(2), 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12827

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 2
Pages: 154-162

Researcher Affiliations

Uldahl, M
  • Vejle Hestepraksis, Vejle Oest, Denmark.
Clayton, H M
  • Sport Horse Science, Mason, Michigan, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Denmark
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses / injuries
  • Mouth / injuries
  • Skin / injuries
  • Sports
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / etiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • Kongeriget Danmarks Hesteforsikring
  • Foreningen KUSTOS af 1881
  • Jens Anker Andersen Fonden
  • Hesteafgiftsfonden
  • Foreningen af Veterinaervidenskabelige Medarbejderes Fond
  • Danish Equestrian Federation

Citations

This article has been cited 33 times.
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