17/02/2025
** ๐ก๐๐ช ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ **
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ง๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒโ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ
Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Hilary Clayton, Jane Williams, David Marlin, Mark Fisher, Diana Fisher, Victoria Walker and Rachel Murray
๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ (๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป) https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/537
New research funded by the FEI investigating if pre-determined lateral locations on the horseโs head could be used as additional measuring sites to determine the laxity of the noseband. This is phase 1; the next phase is to test a measuring tool (dimensions informed by data from part 1) on the lateral aspect of the horseโs head. This work is underway.
๐ฆ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐บ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐: Measuring tools to determine noseband tightness are available but their use requires insertion beneath the noseband on the dorsal nasal bone where the noseband is fitted. There are several locations on the lateral aspect of the head that may be practical and repeatable, offering additional sites. This study investigated the repeatability of using three anatomical locations on the lateral aspect of the horseโs head to determine noseband tightness. One hundred horses were recruited and fitted with a snaffle bridle with a cavesson, Swedish (crank) or dropped noseband. Using an ISES Taper Gauge, noseband tightness was adjusted for each noseband (2.0 to 0.0 finger-equivalents). For each adjustment, a digital calliper determined the distance (mm) between the inner surface of the noseband and three lateral locations on the nasal bone, the maxilla and the mandible. Friedmanโs analysis was used to test differences between locations (adjusted significance p < 0.02). At 2.0 and 1.5 finger-equivalent tightness, the coefficient of variation was โgoodโ for the lateral nasal and maxillary sites. These sites could potentially be used as locations in addition to the dorsal nasal site for determining noseband tightness. These data can be used to inform the dimensions of a laterally admitted measuring tool.
๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐: thank you to the FEI for funding this project. Thank you to Hartpury University, the research team, research assistants, owners, data collection venues, and of course the horses.
