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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Dynamic respiratory videoendoscopy in ridden sport horses: e...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (40); 18-24; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00492.x

Dynamic respiratory videoendoscopy in ridden sport horses: effect of head flexion, riding and airway inflammation in 129 cases.

Abstract: Dynamic upper airway obstruction (UAO) is a cause of respiratory noise and sometimes poor performance in sport horses. Riding, head flexion and airway inflammation may impact upper respiratory tract stability during exercise. Objective: To evaluate upper airway mechanical behaviour in ridden sport horses using overground endoscopy and the effect of head flexion, rider intervention and underlying airway inflammation on the pharynx and larynx. Methods: Resting and exercising videoendoscopic recordings during ridden exercise were obtained in 129 sport horses referred mainly for respiratory noise, poor performance or routine evaluation. The rider modified poll flexion and way of riding during the test and associated changes in UAO were recorded. Presence of upper and lower airway inflammation was also assessed. Results: Dynamic UAO was diagnosed in 91% (64/70) of the horses referred for respiratory noise and in 71% (29/41) of horses referred for poor performance. Pharyngeal instability was the most frequently diagnosed problem. However, differences were observed between dressage horses and showjumpers. Rider interaction and head flexion exacerbated upper airway instability and promoted the occurrence of complex UAO. Both lower airway inflammation and pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia were associated with pharyngeal instability, but not with any other UAO. Conclusions: Rider intervention during ridden exercise (i.e. the various movements a horse might be asked to perform) influences upper airway morphology and function and, in cases of upper airway dynamic obstruction, can contribute to increasing laryngeal and/or pharyngeal instability in sport horses. Conclusions: As these are changes that would not usually be seen with treadmill videoendoscopy, ridden videoendoscopy should be the preferred method for evaluation of the upper airway in sport horses.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-12-07 PubMed ID: 22082441DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00492.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The study investigates how rider interaction, head flexion, and airway inflammation can cause dynamic obstruction in a horse’s upper airway during exercise. The paper recommends overground endoscopy as the best method for evaluation since these changes wouldn’t normally be detected with treadmill videoendoscopy.

Research Methods

The research involved video recordings of 129 sport horses both at rest and during exercise. The reasons for referrals were generally due to concerns about respiratory noise, suboptimal performance, or for routine evaluation.

  • The researchers encouraged the rider to adjust poll flexion (the angle of the horse’s head and neck) and their riding style during exercise, recording any changes in upper airway obstruction (UAO).
  • The study also assessed inflammation state in both the upper and lower airways of the horses.

Results

Researchers found the occurrence of UAO in:

  • 91% of horses referred due to respiratory noise,
  • 71% of horses referred due to poor performance.
  • Pharyngeal instability (the instability of the horse’s throat) was the most common problem identified.
  • Distinct differences were noted between dressage horses and showjumpers in terms of airway obstruction.

According to the study, rider interaction and head flexion increase upper airway instability and can lead to more complex cases of UAO. Both pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (an overgrowth of lymphoid tissue in the horse’s throat) and lower airway inflammation were associated with pharyngeal instability, but no link was found with other types of UAO.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that the actions of the rider during exercise (such as asking the horse to carry out certain movements) can alter the anatomy and function of the horse’s upper respiratory tract. These changes could potentially conduce to increased instability in the larynx or pharynx. Importantly, these changes may not typically be identified with treadmill videoendoscopy. Consequently, the authors propose that overground videoendoscopy, performed while the horse is ridden, should be the preferred means for evaluating the upper airway in sport horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Van Erck E. (2011). Dynamic respiratory videoendoscopy in ridden sport horses: effect of head flexion, riding and airway inflammation in 129 cases. Equine Vet J Suppl(40), 18-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00492.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 40
Pages: 18-24

Researcher Affiliations

Van Erck, E
  • Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Brussels, Belgium. Emmanuelle.vanerck@skynet.be

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Endoscopy / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / veterinary
  • Male
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / pathology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
  • Video Recording / methods

Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Medical Disorders and Racing Outcomes in Poorly Performing Standardbred Trotter Racehorses: A Retrospective Study.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13162569pubmed: 37627359google scholar: lookup
  2. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Medical causes of poor performance and their associations with fitness in Standardbred racehorses.. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1514-1527.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16734pubmed: 37148147google scholar: lookup
  3. Lo Feudo CM, Stancari G, Collavo F, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Upper and Lower Airways Evaluation and Its Relationship with Dynamic Upper Airway Obstruction in Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jun 17;12(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12121563pubmed: 35739899google scholar: lookup
  4. Ripolles M, Sánchez-Guerrero MJ, Perdomo-González DI, Azor P, Valera M. Survey of Risk Factors and Genetic Characterization of Ewe Neck in a World Population of Pura Raza Español Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 1;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10101789pubmed: 33019702google scholar: lookup
  5. Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses--Revised Consensus Statement.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):503-15.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.13824pubmed: 26806374google scholar: lookup
  6. Go LM, Barton AK, Ohnesorge B. Objective classification of different head and neck positions and their influence on the radiographic pharyngeal diameter in sport horses.. BMC Vet Res 2014 May 23;10:118.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-118pubmed: 24886564google scholar: lookup
  7. Go LM, Barton AK, Ohnesorge B. Pharyngeal diameter in various head and neck positions during exercise in sport horses.. BMC Vet Res 2014 May 23;10:117.
    doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-117pubmed: 24886465google scholar: lookup
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