Effects of different bits and bridles on frequency of induced swallowing in cantering horses
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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 associatedwith a reduction in swallowing frequency.
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Effects of different bits and bridles on frequency of induced swallowing in cantering horses
In: Comparative Exercise PhysiologySearch for other papers by J. Manfredi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by H.M. Clayton in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by F.J. Derksen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
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 associatedwith a reduction in swallowing frequency.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Full Text Views | 59 | 19 | 4 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 37 | 26 | 3 |
