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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Temperatures of the Mouthpiece of the Bit of Carriage Horses...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(17); 2623; doi: 10.3390/ani15172623

Temperatures of the Mouthpiece of the Bit of Carriage Horses over a Period of 11 Months.

Abstract: Besides oral temperature, meteorological parameters are expected to be relevant for mouthpiece temperature, potentially influenced by the material, surface area and weight of the bit. This study measured the temperature of the mouthpieces at the corner of the mouth while they were in use on 58 carriage horses during the four 2024 seasons. Stainless steel, copper, and copper-steel bits were tested in three shapes: Butterfly Liverpool, Liverpool, and Loose Ring Snaffle with four rings. Additionally, surface temperatures of inner thighs, the ground, and buildings were measured using infrared thermography as well as meteorological parameters. Mouthpieces of copper bits reached the highest median temperatures of all materials over all months (31.9 °C) and in August (34.5 °C). In February, the air temperature (median 12.45 °C) was cooler than mouthpiece temperatures (steel median 21.8 °C, copper median 26.4 °C). Mouthpieces of copper-steel Liverpool bits were significantly warmer than those of steel Liverpool bits (+1.1 °C, < 0.026) at wet bulb globe temperatures > 25 °C. Maximum mouthpiece temperatures of steel Butterfly Liverpool bits showed a weaker correlation (Spearman Rho 0.8) with wet bulb globe temperature categories than both steel Liverpool bits and steel Loose Ring Snaffle bits, which demonstrated a full correlation (Spearman Rho 1). Concerning mouthpiece temperatures, bit material, shape, and weather conditions should be considered when selecting bits to ascertain impacts on equine welfare.
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Publication Date: 2025-09-07 PubMed ID: 40941418PubMed Central: PMC12427211DOI: 10.3390/ani15172623Google 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.

Temperatures of the metal bits in carriage horses’ mouths were measured throughout the year to understand how bit material, shape, and weather conditions affect their temperature, which can have implications for horse welfare.

Study Purpose and Context

  • The research aimed to investigate factors influencing the temperature of horse bit mouthpieces during use, focusing on bit material, shape, and environmental conditions.
  • Understanding mouthpiece temperature is important because overly hot bits could impact the comfort and welfare of horses.

Materials and Methods

  • Subjects: 58 carriage horses monitored across all four seasons in 2024.
  • Bit Materials: Three types were tested — stainless steel, copper, and a combination of copper-steel.
  • Bit Shapes: Three different bit shapes were assessed — Butterfly Liverpool, Liverpool, and Loose Ring Snaffle with four rings.
  • Temperature Measurements:
    • Mouthpiece temperature taken at the corner of the horse’s mouth during actual use.
    • Infrared thermography was used to measure surface temperatures of horses’ inner thighs, surrounding ground, and buildings.
    • Meteorological parameters (e.g., wet bulb globe temperature) were recorded to assess environmental heat conditions.

Key Findings

  • Copper bits consistently showed the highest median mouthpiece temperatures throughout the year, reaching up to 34.5 °C in August.
  • In cooler months like February (median air temperature 12.45 °C), bits still measured higher temperatures—steel bits had median temperatures around 21.8 °C, copper at 26.4 °C—indicating that bit temperature can exceed ambient air temperature.
  • At higher wet bulb globe temperatures (above 25 °C), copper-steel Liverpool bits were significantly warmer than steel Liverpool bits by about 1.1 °C.
  • Temperature correlation with wet bulb globe temperature varied by bit shape:
    • Steel Butterfly Liverpool bits showed a weaker correlation (Spearman Rho 0.8) with environmental heat metrics.
    • Steel Liverpool and Loose Ring Snaffle bits had a perfect correlation (Spearman Rho 1), suggesting their temperatures closely track ambient heat conditions.

Implications for Equine Welfare and Bit Selection

  • Material choice affects how hot a bit’s mouthpiece becomes, with copper bits warming more than steel or mixed materials, which may influence horse comfort.
  • Bit shape also influences how much the temperature rises in relation to the environment; some shapes may retain or dissipate heat differently.
  • Environmental conditions (air temperature, humidity, radiant heat) impact bit temperatures and should be taken into account when selecting bits for horses working in different climates or seasons.
  • Careful consideration of bit material, design, and usage conditions can help mitigate potential discomfort or heat stress in carriage horses, promoting better welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Krcal C, Licka T. (2025). Temperatures of the Mouthpiece of the Bit of Carriage Horses over a Period of 11 Months. Animals (Basel), 15(17), 2623. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15172623

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 17
PII: 2623

Researcher Affiliations

Krcal, Carina
  • Equine University Clinic, Large Animal Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Licka, Theresia
  • Equine University Clinic, Large Animal Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH 259 RG, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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