Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T09:21:26.541Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of different bits and bridles on frequency of induced swallowing in cantering horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

J Manfredi ,
HM Clayton  and
FJ Derksen
J Manfredi
Affiliation:
Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA
HM Clayton*
Affiliation:
Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA
FJ Derksen
Affiliation:
Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA
*
*[email protected]
Get access

Abstract

It has been suggested that the presence of a bit reflexly increases salivation but, at the same time, interferes with the horse's ability to swallow. The objective of this study was to compare swallowing frequency in 12 horses exercising at canter while wearing a head collar, a bitless bridle, a jointed snaffle bit and a Myler correctional-ported barrel bit. Laryngeal movements were recorded videoendoscopically as the horses cantered (8 m s−1) on a high speed treadmill, with the use of side reins to flex the poll. Swallowing was stimulated artificially by infusion of sterile water at a constant rate of 5 ml min−1 through a cannula in the endoscope's biopsy port. The results showed large differences in swallowing frequency between horses. Swallowing frequency was lower for the Myler snaffle than for the other conditions (P<0.05). It is concluded that the presence of a bit does not preclude swallowing during exercise at canter with the poll in a flexed position, but certain types of bits may be associated with a reduction in swallowing frequency.

Keywords

exercise physiologyequestrian shortsnaffle bitsaddlery
Type
Research Article
Information
Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , November 2005 , pp. 241 - 244
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Anthony, DW and Brown, DR (1998). Bit wear, horseback riding, and the Botai site in Kazakstan. Journal of Archaeological Science 25: 331–347.Google Scholar
2 Anonymous (2003). Regulations of the Fédération Equestre Internationale: rules for dressage. Events 21st edn. Switzerland: Fédération Equestre Internationale, p. 12.Google Scholar
3Cook, WR (1999). Pathophysiology of bit control in the horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 19: 196–203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Parente, EJ, Martin, BB, Tulleners, EP and Ross, MW (2002). Dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 92 horses during high speed treadmill examination (1993–1998). Veterinary Surgery 31: 507–512.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Knox-Thompson, E and Dickens, S (1990). Pony Club Manual No. 1. Auckland: Ray Richards Publisher.Google Scholar
6Myler, D, Myler, R and Myler, B (2000). A Whole Bit Better. Oregon: Toklat Originals.Google Scholar
7Shaker, R, Ren, J, Bardan, E, Easterling, C, Dua, K, Xie, P and Kern, M (2003). Pharyngoglottal closure reflex: characterization in healthy young, elderly, and dysphagic patients with predeglutitive aspiration. Gerontology 49: 12–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Heffron, CJ and Baker, GJ (1979). Endoscopic observations on the deglutition reflex in the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal 11: 137–141.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Speirs, VC (1997). Clinical Examination of Horses. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, p. 41.Google Scholar
10Franklin, SH, Naylor, JR and Lane, JG (2002). The effect of a tongue-tie in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl. 34: 430–433.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Cornelisse, CJ, Holcombe, SJ, Derksen, FJ, Berney, C and Jackson, CA (2001). Effect of a tongue-tie on upper airway mechanics in horses during exercise. American Journal of Veterinary Research 62: 775–778.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Rehder, RS, Ducharme, NG, Hackett, RP and Neilan, GJ (1995). Measurement of upper airway pressures in exercising horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate. American Journal of Veterinary Research 56: 269–274.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed