Pre-Competition Oral Findings in Danish Sport Horses and Ponies Competing at High Level.

This research focuses on identifying the prevalence and location of oral lesions in 342 high-performing Danish sports horses and ponies inspected before a national championship. The data suggests significant correlations among different types of oral abnormalities, with lesions on one side of the mouth often indicating similar issues on the other.

Study Design and Objectives

• 342 dressage, show jumping, and eventing horses were examined during mandatory veterinary inspections before the Danish National Championship in 2020.
• The goal was to find out the prevalence and location of oral lesions in these high-performing Danish sport horses and ponies.

Methodology and Findings

• Ulcers in the lip commissures (corners of the mouth) were photographed for subsequent pathological analysis.
• In cases where a lesion was found at one lip commissure, chances of finding a similar lesion on the other side were significantly high. This was true for all kinds of lesions: ulcers, scars or depigmentation, fissures (small cracks), as well as erosion or contusions (bruises).
• External (skin) ulcers at the lip commissures were found to have a correlation with internal (mucosal, related to the mucous membrane) ulcers, indicating that if a horse has external ulcers, it’s likely to have internal ones as well.
• Both types of ulcers, cutaneous and mucosal, were found to be associated with scarring or depigmentation.

Other Observations and Associations

• Dental issues such as hooks or sharp enamel points on one side of the mouth were also associated with similar issues on the other side.
• Moreover, erosion or contusion at the lip commissures correlated with similar issues on the bars (the part of the horse’s mouth where the bit rests). Similarly, ulcers in the buccal mucosa (inner cheek lining) were associated with ulcers on the bars.
• Interestingly, the study identified no connection between dental findings and mucosal ulcers or erosion/contusions at the lip commissures. However, dental issues did show an association with scarring or depigmentation.

Implications and Conclusions

• The study suggests that oral lesion detection should consider the possibility of bilateral appearance, as lesions on one side often suggest similar issues on the other side.
• The findings can contribute to enhanced oral health monitoring practices in high performing horses and ponies, prevent discomfort or pain which may impact their performance, and assist in improving overall equine welfare.