USA – Equine consuming grain or pellet might need more dental care: research

According to researchers at Michigan State University, horses eating mostly diets composed by grains or pellets could require more dental care than other equine consuming grasses or hay.

The researchers, who used seven horses for the study, have employed motion capture techniques to follow the movement of horses' jaws. The animals were previously checked by an equine dentist to be sure that no horse had any abnormality which might have influenced their normal chewing.

Researchers placed twelve markers on the horses’ heads and six infrared cameras to record the chewing movements. Animals were then fed with hay and pellets randomly.

Results of the study showed that equine uses slower, larger moves to chew hay, which results in less tooth wear. Owners of horses eating pellets and grains should have to check their horses' teeth more often to avoid the development of enamel irregularities.

"The results of this study support the suggestion that an ample diet, high in the type of roughage consumed by nondomesticated horses, promotes dental health through a greater range of mandibular motion and a slower chewing frequency," researchers commented.

The study named "Comparison of mandibular motion in horses chewing hay and pellets" was published in the May 2007 edition of the Equine Veterinary Journal. Researchers performing the study included Stephanie J. Bonin, MS; Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS; Joel L. Lanovaz, PhD; and Tom Johnston, DVM.

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USA – Equine consuming grain or pellet might need more dental care: research