Quantifying Equine Head Morphology: Implications for Lateral Noseband Measurement Tools
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64292/ijes.224Keywords:
Nasal bone, maxilla, measuring device, tightness, finger equivalentAbstract
In equestrian competitions, a measuring device passing beneath the noseband on the dorsal nasal bone is used to determine noseband laxity. A supplementary location may be useful should the horse become distressed, or if it is apparent that the outcome of the noseband check is influenced by underlying dorsal nasal anatomy. The study aimed to (1) design and evaluate the application of a lateral noseband measuring tool; and (2) quantify equine head morphology beneath the noseband. A lateral measuring tool was designed (equivalent to 1.5 finger equivalent (Fe)) and tested on thirty-one horses. The lateral tool was inserted beneath the noseband at two locations: the lateral nasal bone and lateral maxilla (rostral to the facial crest). With three repeats per location, the outcome (pass/fail) was recorded. In a subset of twelve randomly selected horses, a 20-mm marker was placed rostral to the noseband. Maxilla morphology beneath the noseband was determined using 3D light scanning. Differences between the left and right sides of the maxilla were determined in 1-cm intervals caudal to the dorsal nasal bone. Compared with 2.0 Fe, the number of unsuccessful lateral tool passes increased significantly in the lateral nasal region at 1.0/0.5/0.0 Fe (all P < 0.001). For the lateral maxilla, a significant increase occurred only at 0.0 Fe (P < 0.001). Significant inter-horse lateral anatomical variations existed, but minimal left-right anatomical differences for the lateral nasal bone were found (P = 0.478). Lateral locations were subject to considerable anatomical variability and false positives and are therefore not recommended for determining the laxity of the noseband.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Russell Mackechnie-Guire, David Marlin, Jane Williams, Mark Fisher, Diana Fisher, Victoria Walker, Rachel Murray
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