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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(12); doi: 10.3390/ani9121131

Practice of Noseband Use and Intentions Towards Behavioural Change in Dutch Equestrians.

Abstract: Understanding equestrians' noseband tightening practices and intentions is necessary to target welfare improvement strategies. Firstly, we measured tightness in dressage and show jumping horses in The Netherlands, shortly after implementation of the two-finger rule by the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation. Noseband tightness decreased with age, was less tight in dressage horses than in show jumpers, and was dependent on the interaction between competition level and discipline. Fifty-nine percent of the riders tightened nosebands to such an extent that they adhered to the new regulation. Secondly, we conducted an online survey to gain insight into whether riders were aware of noseband use and tightening behaviour. Of the 386 respondents, 54.5% agreed with the new regulations, and 62% believe that it improves horses' welfare. Applying cluster analysis to statements regarding their own attitude, peer pressure, and behavioural control produced three clusters. Noticeably, a lower percentage of Cluster 1 respondents (38%) performing at higher levels was convinced that the new regulation improved welfare than Cluster 2 (77.9%) and 3 (89.0%) respondents. Designing strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the new regulation and to convince equestrians to comply would be most effective if targeted differentially, and should include a transparent and objective form of regulation.
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Publication Date: 2019-12-12 PubMed ID: 31842468PubMed Central: PMC6940946DOI: 10.3390/ani9121131Google 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 study focuses on the practice of noseband use in equestrian sports, specifically how tightness is applied and the attitudes of riders towards the change in regulations by the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation. The research showed that a majority of riders adhered to the new rules and believe it improves horse welfare, yet there is a distinctive difference in agreement based on the individuals’ competitive level.

Research Methodology and Findings

  • The researchers conducted two main exercises to understand the use of nosebands by Dutch equestrians. Firstly, they measured the tightness of nosebands in dressage and show jumping horses.
  • The findings showed that noseband tightness decreased with the horse’s age and was less tight in dressage horses than in show jumpers.
  • Also, the tightness was found to depend on the interaction between the competition level and the discipline of the horse. For instance, 59% of the riders tightened the nosebands to the degree that was in line with the new two-finger regulation by the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation.

Online Survey Results

  • In addition to direct measurements, the research also involved an online survey to understand whether riders were aware of the noseband use and their tightening behavior.
  • The survey received 386 responses, of which 54.5% agreed with the new regulations, and an even higher percentage (62%) believed that the new rules improved the welfare of the horses.

Cluster Analysis Conclusion

  • The researchers also carried out a cluster analysis. This statistical method grouped the respondents based on their attitudes towards noseband use, the influence of peer pressure, and their sense of behavioral control. This resulted in creating three distinct groups (clusters).
  • In this analysis, it was noticed that a lower percentage of respondents (38%) from Cluster 1, who were performing at higher levels, believed that the new regulation improved horse welfare, compared to respondents from Cluster 2 (77.9%) and Cluster 3 (89.0%).

Recommendations

  • The authors concluded that for the successful implementation of the new regulation, strategies should be tailor-made and targeted differently for each of these clusters.
  • Further, they suggested that a transparent and objective form of regulation would be more acceptable and effective for equestrians.

Cite This Article

APA
Visser EK, Kuypers MMF, Stam JSM, Riedstra B. (2019). Practice of Noseband Use and Intentions Towards Behavioural Change in Dutch Equestrians. Animals (Basel), 9(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121131

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Visser, E Kathalijne
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 374, 9250 AJ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Kuypers, Monique M F
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 374, 9250 AJ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Stam, Jennifer S M
  • Department of Applied Research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 374, 9250 AJ Dronten, The Netherlands.
Riedstra, Bernd
  • Behavioural Biology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. 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
  2. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15071058pubmed: 40218450google scholar: lookup
  3. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15040537pubmed: 40003019google scholar: lookup
  4. MacKechnie-Guire R, Murray R, Williams JM, Nixon J, Fisher M, Fisher D, Walker V, Clayton HM. Noseband type and tightness level affect pressure on the horse's face at trot. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):774-788.
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  5. Scholler D, Wittenberg J, Zablotski Y, May A. Do tight nosebands have an effect on the upper airways of horses?. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1478.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1478pubmed: 38885311google scholar: lookup
  6. Merkies K, Copelin C, Small N, Young J. Noseband Fit: Measurements and Perceptions of Canadian Equestrians. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 6;12(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192685pubmed: 36230425google scholar: lookup
  7. Dyson S, Pollard D. Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 25;12(5).
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