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Some horses’ facial bones become abnormally thicker or thinner in the noseband and curb chain regions, creating lesions that are visible on radiograph (X ray) and can even be felt or seen, according to a study.
Such bone remodeling is not evidence of cause-and-effect but suggests horses might be damaging their own skulls “in a bid to seek comfort” under tightened tack, said Paul McGreevy, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, MACVS (Animal Welfare), professor of animal behavior and animal welfare science at the University of Sydney, in Australia.
“If bit pressure prompts a horse to open his mouth in search of relief from the pressure but is denied comfort because of a restrictive noseband, he may not simply give up but may just keep working against the stricture of the noseband” said McGreevy, who received a 2020 Global Animal Welfare Award from the World Veterinary Association on Nov. 2. “My fear is that these lesions may be evidence of animals in training, competition, or