In high-level dressage horses, does bridle type influence noseband pressures and movement symmetry parameters when ridden in a sitting trot?
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R. MacKechnie-Guire1, R. Murray2, M. Fisher3, D. Fisher3, V. Walker1, J. Williams1, D.J. Marlin4 and H. Clayton5,6
1Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester, GL19 3BE, UK; 2Rossdales Ltd, Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7NN, UK; 3Woolcroft Equine Services, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK; 4Equine, Animalweb Ltd, Tennyson House, Cambridge, CB4 0WZ, UK; and 5Michigan State University, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, 736 Wilson Road, Mason, Michigan 48 854, USA; and 6Sport Horse Science – 1950, 3145 Sandhill Road, Mason, Michigan 48 854, USA. Email: [email protected]
Introduction: Bridle-horse-rider interaction is complex and often overlooked in the training and management of horses. Concerns have been raised over the use of double bridles, but there is little quantitative comparison of bridle type (snaffle; double) and comparison of the effects on facial pressures and movement symmetry parameters are not available.
Study design: In vivo experimental.
Methods: Thirteen high-level dressage horses and riders (Intermediare II/Grand-Prix) were recruited and assessed by a veterinarian and ridden by their respective rider. Horses were fitted with two small electronic force mats positioned centrally at two locations beneath a crank noseband: (1) the dorsal aspect of the nasal bone and (2) the ventral aspect of the mandible. Five inertial-measurement-units (head, withers, tuber sacrale, and left/right tubera coxae) were fitted to each horse. Bridle fit was assessed by two qualified bridle fitters. Using an ISES taper gauge, the tightness of the noseband was standardised to a two-finger tightness. Straight-line data were collected in sitting trot with horses wearing a snaffle (SB) and a double bridle (DB). Mean, maximum and minimum nasal and mandibular pressures (kPa) and absolute values for MinDiff (weight-bearing) and MaxDiff (push-off) asymmetry were quantified for twenty-two strides and analysed using a Wilcoxon signed rank test with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Mean (SB: 13.7 ± 3.7 kPa, DB: 12.3 ± 3.8 kPa, p = 0.01) and maximum (SB: 22.1 ± 6.9 kPa, DB: 17.9 ± 5.9 kPa, p = 0.002) nasal pressures were significantly lower for the DB. No differences were found between bridle types for mean, maximum and minimum mandible pressures (p ≥ 0.08) or MinDiff or MaxDiff symmetry values (p ≥ 0.06).
Main limitations: Only high-level, experienced horses/riders were studied.
Conclusion: In this group of high-level dressage horses, bridle type influenced nasal pressures. Although the magnitude was small, the DB had lower mean and maximal dorsal nasal pressure values. Bridle type did not influence mandibular pressures or symmetry parameters.
Ethical animal research: Ethics were approved by Hartpury University's ethics and welfare committee URN 2021–126. Written confirmation was provided by the Home Office, United Kingdom (U. Weyer, February 2023) that the study did not require regulation under the Animals (Science Procedure) Act 1986 (ASPA).
Informed consent: Informed, written consent was obtained from riders and owners prior to participation, and they were advised that they could withdraw from the study at any point.
Competing interests: None declared.
Funding: Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange Grant and Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to the owners, riders and research assistants.
