Making sure to adjust nosebands, flashes, browbands and making sure the buckles do not push into delicate facial structures or the poll strap does not push against the horse's ears (and of course checking bit fit): This is something good horse people should be quite fanatical about.
A quick look at what cranial nerves do, reveals how important their healthy functioning is to the overall health of the horse --and why properly fitted tack is paramount.
There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves. They have a role in:
BalanceHeart rate (sensory and motor control of viscera including heart, lungs, and bowel) HearingSmellVisionEye movementNeck muscles that move the headSensation from the face Motor to the muscles for biting, chewingFacial expression Taste from the anterior 2/3rds of the tonqueTaste from the posterior 1/3rd of the tonque Tearing (lacrimal gland)Salivation from the parotid gland as well as not from the parotid gland (different nerves)Sensation and some motor to the pharynxSwallowing (motor to the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx) Vocalization (motor to the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx) gastrointestinal peristalsisTongue movement Every part of a bridle has a role to play in stabilizing it and ensuring it does not put undue pressure on any part of the horse's headโs joints and nerves including ears, jaw, teeth, tongue. It is paramount that tack is fitted properly.
There is not one bridle model or brand that fits all horses so with all bridles it is important to pay attention to fit and check the following:
Is it pressing on a joint like a too tight browband pushing on the TMJ. Is the crownpiece pressing or rubbing on soft tissues like the base of the ears. is the noseband too low and resting on cartilage or placed too high and touching the horse's cheekbones neither which are good. is the throatlatch strap too tight, pulling the bridle down on the poll and "strangling" the horse? This strap should remain loose regardless of neck and head position. is the bit too high or too low. are some of your buckles rubbing or poking into the horse's soft tissues or laying on bone. Is your noseband and flash (if you use one) correctly adjusted? Make sure there are two fingers stacked between your noseband and nasal bone. If you arenโt sure, invest in an ISE gauge (http://equitationscience.com/store/taper-gauge)
Are all the bridle parts that touch the horse's skin smooth, supple and clean. Following this simple, common sense age old advice can help any horse be comfortable in tack.
For more information on tack and anatomy, check our Photo Albums.
Source: HorseAdvice.com and The Merck Veterinary Manual.
3/12/2013 - Italian Veterinarian and equine rรฉhabilitation specialist Massimo Da Re offered these additional insights on CRANIAL Nerves, the Brain and Limbic System:
The head of all vertebrates is one of the most important parts for the life of the individual: It is home to the brain that has the delicate task to process the information that comes from the body and from the outside world and returns to the various parts of the body with essential indications for life.
The brain encodes what the sense organs perceive and organize the existence of the individual. The brain also reads the feelings of the heart which is the true center of life.
In the head are located vital organs: hearing, smell, sight, taste, touch. ( and breath)
Think for a moment about your horse, observe how important its highly mobile ears, his large nostrils, his very expressive eyes are for its essence.
Finally the mouth.
The horse lives with his mouth: eats, vocalizes, works, relates to the outside world. It contains more than 4 billion nerve endings and is closely associated with a portion of the brain called Limbic System, responsible for the control of emotions and learning: think about this before acting with your hands on your horse's mouth.
There are no horses "deaf" or "hard" in the mouth, pain receptors can not be deleted nor go out: horses fight oral pain in different forms: some rear, others pull on the reins, while others seem to be resigned and have a heavy mouth.
Study well this beautiful and useful image and use the equipment on your horse with awareness and respect : avoid too tight nose-bands, make sure bridle and bit fit well.
Be careful with the halter, especially if it is made in rope or fabric that are too thin: they can lead to excessive pressure on the nerves of the face; always remove the halter when the horse is free, in stall or outside in the field. Be gentle with your hands, both when you lead the horse and when you ride."
The subject is vast and deserves full days of discussions!
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