The effects of bit chewing on borborygmi, duodenal motility, and gastrointestinal transit time in clinically normal horses.
Authors: Patton Molly E, Leise Britta S, Baker Rose E, Andrews Frank M
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Bit Chewing and Equine Gastrointestinal Transit: Clinical Implications Post-operative ileus remains a significant challenge in equine surgical recovery, prompting investigation into simple interventions that might stimulate gastro-intestinal motility without pharmaceutical intervention. Molton and colleagues conducted a prospective crossover trial in six clinically normal horses, comparing a 20-minute apple-flavoured bit application every 6 hours against a control period, whilst measuring duodenal contractions via ultrasound, borborygmi via auscultation, and gastrointestinal transit time using 200 coloured marker beads administered by nasogastric tube. Bit chewing significantly shortened overall transit time at 80% bead passage (median 106.37 hours versus 170.1 hours in controls; P = 0.0156), though notably only four of six horses achieved the 80% threshold, and no significant differences emerged for borborygmi, duodenal contractions, or 50% passage time. For equine practitioners managing post-colic or post-operative cases, this inexpensive and well-tolerated intervention warrants consideration as an adjunctive strategy to encourage progressive motility recovery, though the modest sample size and variable individual response suggest larger clinical validation studies are needed before firm recommendations can be made.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Bit chewing may be a simple, low-cost adjunct to help manage post-surgical ileus in horses, though clinical efficacy still needs confirmation
- •The mechanism appears to involve acceleration of lower GI transit rather than changes in upper GI motility or audible gut sounds
- •This intervention is safe and easy to implement; consider as an add-on therapy in cases where GI stasis is a concern
Key Findings
- •Bit chewing reduced gastrointestinal total transit time at 80% bead passage (median 106.37 h vs 170.1 h, P=0.0156)
- •No significant differences in borborygmi, duodenal contractions, or 50% bead passage between bit chewing and control groups
- •Bit chewing was safe, inexpensive, and well tolerated by all horses in the study