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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(3); doi: 10.3390/ani11030763

Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics.

Abstract: The effects of specific feeding positions upon the horse's shape variations of the back and neck postures as well as the variations of the mandibular angle have never been objectively studied. For this reason, geometric morphometrics was applied. Six horses, aged 14 ± 8 years (mean ± standard deviation, SD), were video-recorded while using three different feeding positions: on the ground-control position (CP); neck held 15 ± 3° below withers height with low hay net position (LP); neck held 15 ± 3° above withers height with high hay net position (HP). Data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and partial least squares (PLS). A mixed model procedure was applied to evaluate differences in the magnitude of the mandibular angle. Whilst differences between individual horses were confirmed by canonical variate analysis (CVA), PCA analysis showed that a characteristic feeding position could also be identified on a group level. During the HP hay net position, the back and neck postures as well the mandibular angle were different compared to those exhibited by horses feeding from CP. In LP hay net position, the back posture more closely resembled those exhibited while feeding from CP; however, no similarity between LP and CP was found for neck posture and mandibular angle. Since only a few degrees of variation of the feeding position can influence back and neck postures, this aspect should be further investigated. The right compromise between horse welfare, horse safety, and management practices need to be further explored and long-term effects should be investigated.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-10 PubMed ID: 33801885PubMed Central: PMC7998216DOI: 10.3390/ani11030763Google 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 different feeding positions on the form variations of a horse’s back, neck, and mandibular angle, an aspect which has not been objectively studied before, using geometric morphometrics.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved six horses with an average age of 14 years.
  • Feeding positions included on the ground (control position), and a high hay net and low hay net position; the latter two involved keeping the neck at 15 degrees, above and below wither height respectively.
  • Data was assessed with a principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, and partial least squares.
  • A mixed model procedure served to examine differences in mandibular angle magnitudes.
  • Identified variations between individual horses were acknowledged using canonical variate analysis.

Findings and Discussion

  • The principal component analysis revealed that each feeding position had distinctive characteristics that could be identified on a group level.
  • When in the high hay net (HP) position, the horses displayed different back and neck postures, and mandibular angle compared to the control position (CP).
  • In the low hay net (LP) position, the back posture closely resembled the control position, but the neck posture and mandibular angle did not.
  • As even minor changes in the feeding position can influence the postures, the researchers express a need for further investigation.

Conclusions and Further Research

  • The study concludes by emphasizing the need to find an appropriate balance between horse welfare, safety, and managing practices given the finding that small changes in feeding position can impact physical posture.
  • The researchers also call for investigations into the long-term impacts that these feeding positions might have on horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Raspa F, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Marten Canavesio M, Bergero D, Valle E. (2021). Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics. Animals (Basel), 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030763

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 3

Researcher Affiliations

Raspa, Federica
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Roggero, Angela
  • Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
Palestrini, Claudia
  • Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
Marten Canavesio, Martina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Bergero, Domenico
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Valle, Emanuela
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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