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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Effect of ‘tongue tie’ use on racing performance...
Equine veterinary journal2010; 41(8); 812-816; doi: 10.2746/042516409x434134

Effect of ‘tongue tie’ use on racing performance of thoroughbreds in the United Kingdom.

Abstract: There is contradictory published evidence on the potential efficacy of 'tongue ties' (TTs) for treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in racehorses. Objective: To evaluate the effect of TTs on racing performance in Thoroughbred racehorses in the U.K. using a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data on individual horses' lifetime racing performance and TT use were retrieved from the Racing Post Online Database. Exposed cases were horses that ran with a TT in randomly chosen race meetings on one of 60 randomly chosen dates from 2001-2003. Unexposed (control) horses were matched to each exposed horse. Various measures of racing performance were analysed both within and between exposed and unexposed groups. Subsets of exposed horses that ran for 3 or 5 consecutive starts wearing TTs and their matched controls were analysed separately to examine the effect of repeated TT use. Results: The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 108 horses. The odds ratio for 'improvement' in race earnings between exposed and unexposed horses was 1.85 for horses that ran at least once with a TT, and 3.60 and 4.24, respectively, for horses that ran in 3 or 5 consecutive races wearing a TT. After instigation of TT use, horses that ran in 3 or 5 consecutive races wearing a TT had a significant increase in earnings when they ran wearing a TT compared to their pre-TT races. Conclusions: The use of a TT appears to have a beneficial effect on racing performance in a selected population of Thoroughbred racehorses.
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Publication Date: 2010-01-26 PubMed ID: 20095231DOI: 10.2746/042516409x434134Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 the impact of using ‘tongue ties‘ (TTs) on the performance and earnings of Thoroughbred racehorses in the U.K. The findings suggest that TT use is linked to improved racing performance and increased race winnings.

Research Aim and Methods

  • This study sought to assess the influence of TTs on the racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses by conducting a retrospective cohort study.
  • Individual horses’ racing performance data and TT usage were obtained from the Racing Post Online Database.
  • ‘Exposed’ horses that raced with a TT at randomly selected race meetings between 2001 and 2003 were considered as cases. Unexposed horses, which did not use a TT, were used as corresponding controls.
  • Several indicators of racing performance were evaluated within and between the TT-exposed and TT-unexposed groups.
  • The researchers carried out additional analysis on subsets of TT-exposed horses that used a TT for 3 or 5 consecutive races to investigate the impact of repeated TT use.

Findings

  • A total of 108 horses met the inclusion criteria for this study.
  • The odds ratio for ‘improvement’ in race earnings between TT-using and non-TT-using horses was 1.85 for horses that raced at least once with a TT.
  • For horses that ran in 3 or 5 consecutive races using a TT, the odds ratio for improvement in race earnings was 3.60 and 4.24, respectively.
  • Horses that raced in 3 or 5 consecutive races using a TT demonstrated a significant increase in earnings when wearing a TT compared to their earnings before TT use.

Conclusions

  • The findings implied that TT usage may enhance racing performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • Notably, consistent use of a TT in consecutive races seemed to result in a significant rise in race earnings.

Cite This Article

APA
Barakzai SZ, Finnegan C, Boden LA. (2010). Effect of ‘tongue tie’ use on racing performance of thoroughbreds in the United Kingdom. Equine Vet J, 41(8), 812-816. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x434134

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 8
Pages: 812-816

Researcher Affiliations

Barakzai, S Z
  • Division of Veterinary Clinical Science, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
Finnegan, C
    Boden, L A

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Cohort Studies
      • Female
      • Horses / physiology
      • Male
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / instrumentation
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
      • Retrospective Studies
      • Running / physiology
      • Tongue
      • United Kingdom

      Citations

      This article has been cited 7 times.
      1. Talbot AM, Shanks-Boon H, Baldwin CM, Barnes H, Maddox TW. Soft palate angle and basihyoid depth increase with tongue size and with body condition score in horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):967-976.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14445pubmed: 39748477google scholar: lookup
      2. 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.
        doi: 10.1002/vms3.70018pubmed: 39285763google scholar: lookup
      3. 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).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13030490pubmed: 36766378google scholar: lookup
      4. Seck M, Jobling R, Brown AF. Trialling Locally Made, Low-Cost Bits to Improve Bit-Related Welfare Problems in Cart Horses: Findings from a Study in Senegal. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 20;13(1).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13010002pubmed: 36611612google scholar: lookup
      5. Holmes TQ, Brown AF. Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 5;12(9).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12091186pubmed: 35565612google scholar: lookup
      6. 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).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11030622pubmed: 33652950google scholar: lookup
      7. Hampton JO, Jones B, McGreevy PD. Social License and Animal Welfare: Developments from the Past Decade in Australia. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 28;10(12).
        doi: 10.3390/ani10122237pubmed: 33260531google scholar: lookup
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