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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2008; 178(3); 405-410; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.09.020

The prevalence of oral ulceration in Swedish horses when ridden with bit and bridle and when unridden.

Abstract: Oral soft tissue ulcers are common disorders of horses, but it is unclear if their prevalence is increased by riding horses with a bit and bridle. Oral examinations were performed on 113 horses and ponies, all which had received routine dental floating, that were divided into four groups depending on when they had last been ridden with a bit and bridle. The subjects comprised: group 1, a randomly selected population of ridden horses; group 2, a group of horses examined after being rested at pasture for 5 weeks; group 3, the previous group following 7 weeks of riding with a bit and bridle, and group 4, brood mares that had not been ridden for at least 11 months. Lip and intraoral soft tissue lesions were recorded at seven pre-determined locations, with lesions classified as large or small; acute or chronic. The examinations showed that horses that were currently being ridden with a bit and bridle had a significantly higher prevalence of large and acute buccal ulcers opposite the maxillary Triadan 06 teeth and of the commissures of the lips, as compared to horses that were not being currently ridden. It was concluded that using a bit and bridle can cause oral ulceration even in horses that have regular prophylactic dental floating. It is suggested that riding tack should be individually fitted for each horse and also that prophylactic dental treatments should be individually adapted for each horse.
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Publication Date: 2008-11-21 PubMed ID: 19027332DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.09.020Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research investigates if horse riding using bit and bridle increases the prevalence of oral soft tissue ulcers in horses. The findings suggest that use of bit and bridle can cause oral ulceration, even in horses receiving regular dental treatments, indicating the need for individual fitting of riding tackles and personalized dental prophylaxis.

Study Design and Approach

  • The study involved oral examinations of 113 horses and ponies that received regular dental care (known as dental floating). This population was divided into four groups based on when they were last ridden with a bit and bridle.
  • The four groups included a random selection of currently ridden horses, horses rested at pasture for 5 weeks, those examined after 7 weeks of riding with bit and bridle, and brood mares left unridden for at least 11 months.
  • Lip and intraoral soft tissue lesions were recorded in seven pre-defined locations, and were classified as small or large; and acute or chronic.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that horses actively ridden with a bit and bridle had a significantly higher prevalence of large and acute buccal ulcers, particularly opposite the upper Triadan 06 teeth and the corners of the lips, compared to horses not currently ridden.
  • This suggests that using a bit and bridle can cause oral ulceration, despite the horses receiving regular preventative dental treatments.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The researchers concluded that the use of bit and bridle can cause oral sores in horses even while they receive regular dental prophylaxis.
  • They recommend that riding tack should be individually fitted for each horse to potentially prevent or mitigate the occurrence of oral ulceration.
  • In addition, they suggest that preventative dental treatments should be adapted to the individual needs of each horse, rather than following a standard prophylaxis protocol.

Cite This Article

APA
Tell A, Egenvall A, Lundström T, Wattle O. (2008). The prevalence of oral ulceration in Swedish horses when ridden with bit and bridle and when unridden. Vet J, 178(3), 405-410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.09.020

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1090-0233
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 178
Issue: 3
Pages: 405-410

Researcher Affiliations

Tell, Anna
  • ATG Equine Clinics Inc, Hästsportens Hus, 161 89 Stockholm, Sweden.
Egenvall, Agneta
    Lundström, Torbjörn
      Wattle, Ove

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Dentistry / methods
        • Dentistry / veterinary
        • Diagnosis, Oral
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Oral Ulcer / epidemiology
        • Oral Ulcer / pathology
        • Oral Ulcer / veterinary
        • Prevalence
        • Risk Factors
        • Sports
        • Sweden / epidemiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 19 times.
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