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The effect of acute equine temporomandibular joint inflammation on response to rein-tension and kinematics.
Abstract: Although the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the major contact point between the reins in the riders' hand, the bit in the mouth, and the rest of the horse under saddle, the role of inflammation of this joint on equine locomotion and rein tension is unknown. Unassigned: To determine the effect of acute TMJ inflammation on rein-tension and horse movement when horses were long-reined on a treadmill. Unassigned: A randomized, controlled, cross-over design. Unassigned: Five horses were trained by one clinician to walk and trot on a treadmill wearing long-reining equipment instrumented with a rein-tension device and reflective optical tracking markers. Subjective assessment of horse's dominant side, and movement, were determined without rein-tension (free walk and trot); and with rein-tension (long-reined walk and trot). Continuous rein-force data from both sides were collected over ~60s from each trial. Movement was recorded using a 12-camera optical motion capture system. One randomly assigned TMJ was subsequently injected with lipopolysaccharide and the treadmill tests repeated by investigators blinded to treatment side. A second, identical assessment was performed 10 days later with the opposite TMJ being the target of intervention. Unassigned: All horses showed reduced rein-tension on the injected (inflamed) side. Increased rein-tension was required on the non-injected side at trot, to maintain them in the correct position on the treadmill post-injection. The only kinematic variable to show any significant change due to rein tension or TMJ inflammation during the walk or trot was an increase in forward head tilt in the presence of rein tension in the trot after injection. Unassigned: Low number of horses and investigation of response to acute inflammation only. Unassigned: TMJ inflammation changed, subjectively and objectively, the response to rein-input, but the horses did not become lame.
Copyright © 2023 Reisbig, Pifko, Lanovaz, Weishaupt and Carmalt.
Publication Date: 2023-06-19 PubMed ID: 37404776PubMed Central: PMC10317175DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1213423Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 paper investigates the impact of acute inflammation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of horses upon the animal’s response to rein tension and its general locomotion. The points of interest include observing whether such inflammation alters the subjective and objective reaction of horses to rein input, in addition to noting any significant changes in kinematics, specifically forward head tilt.
Research Design and Methodology
The investigation followed a randomized, controlled, and cross-over design. This means:
- Random selection: A particular Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) to be inflamed was randomly chosen to eliminate bias.
- Controlled: The study was designed such that each horse experienced both conditions (i.e., with and without inflammation).
- Cross-over: After a period of 10 days from the first assessment, the test was repeated, this time inflaming the opposite TMJ. This was done to ensure each horse experienced inflammation in both joints, adding validity to the results.
Subject Group and Training
The subject group consisted of five horses, each trained by the same clinician to walk and trot on a treadmill using long-reining equipment equipped with a rein-tension device and reflective optical tracking markers.
- The horses’ movement and dominant side were evaluated both without rein tension (in free walk and trot) and with rein tension (long-reined walk and trot).
- Frequent rein-force data was collected over approximately 60 seconds for every trial.
- Movement was recorded using a 12-camera optical motion capture system, which ensured a high-accuracy 3D recording of the horse’s locomotory behavior.
Procedures and Findings
Upon injection of lipopolysaccharide into one TMJ to initiate inflammation, the horses’ responses were assessed by investigators who were blinded to the side of treatment. Their findings included:
- All horses demonstrated reduced rein tension on the inflamed TMJ side, suggesting discomfort prompted them to avoid applying pressure on that side.
- Increased rein tension was required on the non-inflamed side at a trot to maintain their correct position on the treadmill post-injection, compensating for the reduced pressure on the other side.
- The rein-tension or TMJ inflammation resulted in a significant change in only one kinematic variable – an increase in forward head tilt while trotting after injection.
Limitations and Conclusion
This study was limited by its small sample size of five horses and the single investigation of acute inflammation response. Nonetheless, it found that TMJ inflammation altered the horses’ subjective and objective responses to the reins. Despite the discomfort, the horses did not exhibit clear signs of lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Reisbig NA, Pifko J, Lanovaz JL, Weishaupt MA, Carmalt JL.
(2023).
The effect of acute equine temporomandibular joint inflammation on response to rein-tension and kinematics.
Front Vet Sci, 10, 1213423.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1213423 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
- College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Soroko-Dubrovina M, Zielińska P, Dudek KD, Śniegucka K, Nawrot K. Thermal Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on the Temporomandibular Joint Area in Clinically Healthy Racehorses-A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 15;15(10).
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