The Reported Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands in Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing-A Pilot Study.
Abstract: This article reports on the results of a survey of racehorse trainers (n = 112) outlining the reasons for tongue-tie (TT) and noseband (NB) use by Thoroughbred trainers (TBTs) (n = 72) and Standardbred trainers (SBTs) (n = 40). The study also investigated the reported effectiveness of TTs and possible complications arising from their use. Tongue-tie use was reported by 62.5% (n = 70) of racehorse trainers. The reasons for TT use varied between TBTs and SBTs. For TBTs, the most common reason for TT use was to prevent or reduce airway obstruction (72.3%, n = 34), followed closely by to prevent or reduce airway noise (55.3%, n = 16). Standardbred trainers assigned equal importance for TT use [to prevent or reduce airway obstruction (69.6%, n = 16) and to prevent the horse from moving its tongue over the bit (69.6%, n = 16)]. Tongue-ties were considered significantly less effective at improving performance than at reducing airway obstruction and preventing the tongue from moving over the bit (t = -2.700, p = 0.0007). For respondents who used both TTs and NBs, there was a mild to moderate positive association between the reasons for using TTs and NBs. Of the 70 TT-using respondents, 51.4% (n = 36) recorded having encountered either a physical or behavioural complication due to TT use, with redness/bruising of the tongue (20.0%, n = 14) being the most common physical complication reported. Duration of use influenced the risk of observing complications. The likelihood of a respondent reporting a behavioural complication due to TT use increased with every minute of reported application and a nine-minute increment in application period doubled the odds of a respondent reporting a complication. Tightness was a risk factor for physical complications: Checking TT tightness by noting the tongue as not moving was associated with increased reporting of physical complications (OR = 6.59; CI 1.1-67.5). This pilot study provides some insight into how and why TTs are applied by some racehorse trainers, and the potential risks associated with their use. A further study of a larger cohort is recommended because these results are valid for only the 112 trainers who responded and cannot be generalized to the equine industry.
Publication Date: 2021-02-26 PubMed ID: 33652950PubMed Central: PMC7996875DOI: 10.3390/ani11030622Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research study investigates the reasons behind the use of tongue-ties and nosebands in racehorse training and their reported effectiveness and potential complications. The study concluded that while these tools are widely used and often effective at preventing airway obstruction, they can also cause physical and behavioural complications, depending on their duration and tightness of use.
Study Design and Participants
- The study focused on a sample of 112 racehorse trainers, further split into 72 Thoroughbred trainers and 40 Standardbred trainers. It leveraged survey methodology to gather data on use, reasons, and perceived effectiveness of tongue-ties and nosebands.
Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands
- Approximately 62.5% of the participating trainers reported the use of tongue-ties. However, reasons for use varied between the two types of trainers.
- Thoroughbred trainers use tongue-ties primarily to prevent or reduce airway obstruction (72.3%) and secondarily, to curb airway noise (55.3%). Standardbred trainers, on the other hand, reported using them both to prevent airway obstruction (69.6%) and to prevent the horse from moving its tongue over the bit (69.6%).
Perceived Effectiveness of Tongue-Ties
- The effectiveness of tongue-ties was viewed as being more significant for reducing airway obstruction and preventing the tongue from moving over the bit than for improving performance.
Complications Arising from the Use of Tongue-Ties
- Over half (51.4%) of the tongue-tie users have encountered either a physical or behavioural complication. The most common physical complication was redness or bruising of the tongue (20%).
- The likelihood of complications increased with every minute of application. Particularly, a nine-minute increase in the application period doubles the chances of reporting a complication.
- The tightness of the tongue-tie was a risk factor for physical complications. Noting the tongue as immobile due to tightness was associated with increased reporting of physical complications.
Suggested Future Research
- The study provides valuable insights into tongue-tie use but emphasizes that the findings are valid only for the responding trainers. A large-scale study is recommended to generalize the results across the equine industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Weller D, Franklin S, White P, Shea G, Fenner K, Wilson B, Wilkins C, McGreevy P.
(2021).
The Reported Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands in Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing-A Pilot Study.
Animals (Basel), 11(3).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030622 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, 1454 Mudla Wirra Road, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- Saddletops Pty Ltd., P.O. Box 557, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Grant Funding
- 2658-005 / Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Uldahl M, Mellor DJ. Regulatory Integrity and Welfare in Horse Sport: A Constructively Critical Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 30;15(13).
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