Munhålestatus hos arbetande hästar
Seventy-two working horses (they had been ridden with bit and bridle within the last two weeks) were examined in the oral cavity. Findings and status were noted. The horses were randomly chosen among individuals without clinical symptoms from the mouth and gastrointestinal system.
The result showed that 93% of the horses had changes in the mucus membranes, 86% in the form of ulcerations. The P2 region was most commonly affected followed by wounds more caudally in the mouth (P3-M3 region). The reasons of the ulcerations have been discussed.
Compared to previous studies of horses with no demands of wearing bit and bridle the frequency of ulcers was much higher in the present study. There is a conclusion that sharp points on the teeth in combination with factors such as riding with bit and bridle results in a greater amount of ulcerations.
Today floating is the most common treatment and is also used in purpose to prevent ulcerations in the mucus membranes. The result of this study shows that floating is not sufficient to prevent pathological oral changes, such as ulcerations.