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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(14); 2141; doi: 10.3390/ani15142141

Using an Equine Cadaver Head to Investigate Associations Between Sub-Noseband Space, Noseband Tension, and Sub-Noseband Pressure at Three Locations.

Abstract: Pressures applied to horses via nosebands are of growing concern. The current study applied noseband pressure to the head of a dead horse. Pressure sensors were placed on the left nasal bone to record pressures as the noseband was progressively tightened. Tightness increased as predicated by holes in the strap of the noseband (as supplied) through eight steps from two fingers' space, assessed using the standard International Society for Equitation Science Taper Gauge through to zero space. Sensors were also placed at the midline frontal plane and intra-orally at the level of the second premolar tooth. A strain gauge integrated into the noseband recorded tensions within the noseband at each tightness level, and a digital taper gauge under the noseband recorded forces on the face. Pressures at the left nasal bone rose to 403 kPa, while those at the frontal nasal plane reached 185 kPa. Pressures rose rapidly once the noseband was tightened at the equivalent of 1.4 fingers' space under the noseband. These findings may help to explain cases of bone and skin damage at the noseband location and indicate the need to ensure that nosebands can accommodate more than the equivalent of 1.4 fingers beneath them in the nasal midline. Given that pressures are expected to rise from those reported here when horses wear bits, locomote, and when the reins are under tension, we conclude that the traditional provision of two fingers' space should be retained.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-19 PubMed ID: 40723604PubMed Central: PMC12291742DOI: 10.3390/ani15142141Google 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.

This research article investigates the relationship between the space beneath a horse’s noseband, the tension in the noseband, and the pressure at three different locations beneath the noseband. The findings indicate that as the noseband is tightened, the pressure increases notably once it reaches the equivalent of a 1.4 fingers’ space, which may cause potential bone and skin damage, suggesting the need for at least a two fingers’ space beneath the noseband.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted this experiment using the head of a deceased horse, applying pressure to it via a noseband. The noseband was progressively tightened through eight levels starting from a two fingers’ space, as measured by the International Society for Equitation Science Taper Gauge, to zero space.
  • Pressure sensors were strategically placed on the left nasal bone to record pressures as the noseband was tightened. Additional sensors were also placed at the frontal plane in the middle and inside the mouth near the second premolar tooth.
  • In order to record tensions within the noseband at different tightness levels, a strain gauge was integrated into the noseband. Concurrently, a digital taper gauge was used underneath the noseband to record the forces exerted on the face.

Findings

  • The study found that as the noseband tightened, the pressure at the left nasal bone dramatically rose to 403 kPa. At the midline frontal plane, the pressure reached 185 kPa.
  • More importantly, the data showed a rapid increase in pressure as soon as the noseband tightness was equivalent to a 1.4 fingers’ space under the noseband.
  • The findings potentially explain instances of bone and skin injuries observed at the noseband location on horses, suggesting the need for enough space below the nosebands to accommodate more than the equivalent of 1.4 fingers.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that to prevent unnecessary pressure and potential injury to the horse, the traditional provision of two fingers’ space beneath the noseband should be adhered to.
  • It also projects that the pressure is likely to increase beyond the reported levels during various circumstances such as when horses wear bits or reins are under tension, or during locomotion, thereby accentuating the importance of retaining the two fingers’ space provision.

Cite This Article

APA
Doherty O, Conway R, McGreevy P. (2025). Using an Equine Cadaver Head to Investigate Associations Between Sub-Noseband Space, Noseband Tension, and Sub-Noseband Pressure at Three Locations. Animals (Basel), 15(14), 2141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142141

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 14
PII: 2141

Researcher Affiliations

Doherty, Orla
  • Life Sciences Department, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland.
Conway, Richard
  • Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland.
McGreevy, Paul
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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