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Conservative treatment for thoroughbred racehorses with intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Abstract: Race records were obtained for 31 thoroughbred racehorses that were treated conservatively (rest, improvement of fitness and/or use of a tongue tie) for dorsal displacement of the soft palate, and for 62 matched control horses. Their racing performance, based on prize money won, was compared for three races run before and after the disorder was diagnosed. Nineteen (61 per cent) of the conservatively treated horses had higher earnings after conservative treatment than before treatment, compared with 27 (43.5 per cent) of the controls. There was a significant (P=0.049) increase in the earnings of the horses treated conservatively, but there was no significant difference in the earnings of the control group.
Publication Date: 2005-09-20 PubMed ID: 16170000DOI: 10.1136/vr.157.12.337Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research paper examines the effectiveness of conservative treatment methods such as rest, fitness improvement, and use of a tongue tie for thoroughbred racehorses affected by dorsal displacement of the soft palate, comparing their race performance before and after treatment. The results indicate a statistically significant improvement in earnings among treated horses, but not in the control group.
Objective and Methodology
- The objective of the study was to explore the effectiveness of conservative methods for the management of intermittent Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate (DDSP) in Thoroughbred racehorses. This condition impairs the horse’s performance, as the displacement blocks the airflow to the lungs during strenuous activity.
- The researchers used race records for 31 horses treated for DDSP conservative treatments and compared them with a control group consisting of 62 matched horses not diagnosed with this condition.
Conservative Treatment
- The researchers applied conservative treatment strategies such as rest, fitness improvement regimes, and use of a tongue tie. A tongue tie is a band that loops around the horse’s tongue and lower jaw to prevent the tongue from sliding back into the throat, thus helping mitigate DDSP.
- The impact of these treatments was determined by tracking and comparing the horse’s race performance based on the prize money won for three races before and post-diagnosis.
Findings
- The results revealed that conservative treatment had a significant effect on the race performance of the horses diagnosed with DDSP. A total of 19 or 61% of the treated horses displayed higher earnings after receiving the treatments.
- In comparison, 27 or approximately 43.5% of the total 62 control horses showed increased race earnings, but this increase was not statistically significant.
- Overall, it was found that the conservative treatment led to a significant rise in race earnings of horses with DDSP (P=0.049), while no such significant enhancement was observed in the control group’s earnings.
Conclusions
- This research establishes the effectiveness of conservative treatment methods including rest, fitness improvement, and the use of a tongue tie in managing DDSP in thoroughbred racehorses.
- The study’s findings could have significant practical implications for horse trainers, veterinarians, and owners, possibly improving the performance and wellbeing of horses afflicted by DDSP.
Cite This Article
APA
Barakzai SZ, Dixon PM.
(2005).
Conservative treatment for thoroughbred racehorses with intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Vet Rec, 157(12), 337-340.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.157.12.337 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Epiglottis / abnormalities
- Female
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Mouth Diseases / therapy
- Mouth Diseases / veterinary
- Palate, Soft / abnormalities
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Sports
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Cassiers V, McNally T. Technique description and outcome evaluation of Thoroughbred racehorses following soft palate thermocautery performed under standing sedation. Vet Med Sci 2024 Sep;10(5):e70018.
- Stallones L, McManus P, McGreevy P. Sustainability and the Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Industries: An Enhanced One Welfare Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 31;13(3).
- Weller D, Franklin S, White P, Shea G, Fenner K, Wilson B, Wilkins C, McGreevy P. The Reported Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands in Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing-A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 26;11(3).
- Cercone M, Olsen E, Perkins JD, Cheetham J, Mitchell LM, Ducharme NG. Investigation into pathophysiology of naturally occurring palatal instability and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in racehorses: Thyro-hyoid muscles fatigue during exercise. PLoS One 2019;14(10):e0224524.
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