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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(19); doi: 10.3390/ani12192685

Noseband Fit: Measurements and Perceptions of Canadian Equestrians.

Abstract: Recent concerns regarding horse welfare during competition has highlighted the occurrence of overtightened nosebands on competition horses. Current rules are often vague—e.g., “nosebands may never be so tightly fixed as to harm the horse.” To investigate the need and acceptance prior to any rule changes Equestrian Canada (EC) launched a pilot noseband measuring project. Nineteen officiating stewards measured noseband fit using the ISES taper gauge (TG) at 32 equestrian events of various disciplines in 2021. Additionally, stakeholder surveys collected data from 1528 EC members and 27 stewards regarding opinions and perceptions on noseband use, fit, measurement and rules. Descriptive and qualitative statistics along with Pearson chi-squared examined relationships between specific variables. Of the 551 horses tested with the TG, 71% passed the 1.5 cm (two-fingers) measurement and an additional 19% passed the 1 cm (one-finger) measurement. Stewards unanimously agreed that overtightened nosebands present a welfare issue although 63% believed this to represent only a small subset of riders. While 60% of stewards believed the current rules were sufficient, 40% did not. Despite the fact that 84% of stewards believe there should be a standardized fit across disciplines, 52% felt the use of the TG should be at their discretion. The top three reasons riders indicated for using nosebands were discipline expectation (41%), requirement for competition (39%) or for control/safety (32%). Open comments referred to an option to not wear a noseband in competition. Professional riders believed overtightened nosebands were less of a welfare issue than amateur riders (76% vs. 88% respectively; p < 0.025) and correspondingly did not feel the TG was a fair method (44% vs. 68% respectively; p < 0.001). Slightly more than half of the respondents (51.5%) believed that measuring noseband fit on the frontal nasal plane was the appropriate location. To advance equestrian practice, more education is needed to inform stakeholders of the reasons for noseband measurements and appropriate fit.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-06 PubMed ID: 36230425PubMed Central: PMC9559623DOI: 10.3390/ani12192685Google 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 study investigates the prevalence of tight nosebands on competition horses, perceptions of equestrians and possible need for updated rules in Canada. It calls for more education on appropriate noseband fit to improve horse welfare.

Methodology

  • The research was carried out by Equestrian Canada using the ISES taper gauge (TG) — a known measurement tool for horse nosebands — throughout various equestrian events held in 2021.
  • A total of 19 stewards utilized the tool, and 551 horses underwent examination.
  • The researchers administered two types of surveys: one for general Equestrian Canada members (1528 respondents) and another for stewards (27 respondents). The surveys collected opinions and perceptions about noseband use, fit, measurement, and rules.
  • Descriptive and qualitative statistical analyses, including Pearson chi-squared tests, determined relationships between different variables.

Findings

  • Results found that 71% of the measured horses could accommodate a 1.5 cm (or two fingers) space within the noseband, and additional 19% could fit 1 cm (or one finger).
  • All stewards agreed that overtightened nosebands are detrimental to horse welfare. Still, they perceived the issue as affecting only a small number of riders (63%).
  • While a majority (60%) of stewards felt the existing rules were sufficient, 40% did not.
  • Although a large percentage (84%) agreed on a need for standardizing the fit across all disciplines, slightly over half (52%) felt that using the TG tool should be at their discretion.
  • Riders reported using nosebands out of discipline expectation (41%), competition requirements (39%), or for control/safety purposes (32%).
  • Notably, professional riders viewed overtightened nosebands as less of a welfare issue than amateur riders (76% vs. 88% respectively) and were less likely to regard the TG as a fair measurement method (44% vs. 68% respectively).
  • Slightly more than half of respondents (51.5%) believed that the frontal nasal plane was the appropriate location for measuring noseband fit.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The study concludes that although a significant number of horses pass the noseband fit test, there is a need for more education about appropriate noseband fit and measurement to ensure horse welfare.
  • The study also suggests considering rule changes considering the varied opinions on the sufficiency of current rules, standardized fit, and measurements.

Cite This Article

APA
Merkies K, Copelin C, Small N, Young J. (2022). Noseband Fit: Measurements and Perceptions of Canadian Equestrians. Animals (Basel), 12(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192685

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 19

Researcher Affiliations

Merkies, Katrina
  • Department of Animal Bioscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
  • Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Reproduction, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Copelin, Caleigh
  • Department of Animal Bioscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Small, Nicolas
  • Department of Animal Bioscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Young, Joelene
  • Department of Animal Bioscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Statement

One author (C.C.) is a member of Equestrian Canada but did not participate in the member survey. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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