Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics.
Authors: Raspa Federica, Roggero Angela, Palestrini Claudia, Marten Canavesio Martina, Bergero Domenico, Valle Emanuela
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Geometric morphometrics has enabled researchers to objectively quantify how feeding height influences equine spinal posture for the first time. Six mature horses were video-recorded at three feeding positions—ground level (control), 15° below withers height (low), and 15° above withers height (high)—with their back, neck, and mandibular angles digitally analysed using principal component analysis and multivariate statistics. High hay net feeding produced distinctly different back and neck postures alongside measurable changes in mandibular angle compared to ground-level feeding, whilst low positioning only partially mimicked ground-feeding mechanics for the back; notably, neither neck posture nor jaw angle returned to baseline at the lower position. These findings have significant implications for stable management and feeding system design, suggesting that relatively modest variations in hay net height can substantially alter the musculoskeletal loading patterns that farriers and physiotherapists assess during lameness investigations or performance issues. Practitioners should consider the long-term postural consequences of their clients' feeding systems, particularly given the potential cumulative effects on back health, dental wear, and athletic performance—though the authors appropriately highlight that further research is needed to establish optimal feeding positions that balance welfare, safety, and practical yard management.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Hay net height has measurable effects on horse posture—high nets (above withers) create the most postural change; consider positioning hay nets at or slightly below withers height to minimize spinal posture deviation during feeding
- •Even small adjustments in feeding position (15° variation) significantly alter neck and jaw position; this should inform stable design and feeding management decisions for welfare and safety
- •Long-term postural effects of different feeding heights remain unknown; monitor individual horses for signs of postural strain and avoid assumptions that ground-level feeding is universally 'natural' without considering each horse's individual response
Key Findings
- •High hay net position (neck 15° above withers) produced significantly different back, neck, and mandibular angle postures compared to ground-level control feeding
- •Low hay net position (neck 15° below withers) resulted in back posture similar to control, but neck posture and mandibular angle differed significantly
- •Small variations of only a few degrees in feeding position can influence equine back and neck postures and mandibular angle magnitude
- •Individual horse differences were confirmed via canonical variate analysis, with characteristic group-level feeding positions identifiable via geometric morphometrics