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Home / Equine Research Bank / Open Vet J / Laryngoscopic evaluation of arytenoid movements in pure Arab...
Open veterinary journal2025; 15(6); 2875-2881; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.56

Laryngoscopic evaluation of arytenoid movements in pure Arabian horses.

Abstract: The equine larynx can be affected by a variety of diseases that may interfere with upper respiratory tract patency. Laryngeal hemiplegia is a well-known disease in large-sized equine breeds and its occurrence in Arabian horses has not been thoroughly investigated. Unassigned: To endoscopically assess arytenoid movements in pure Arabian horses. Unassigned: A total number of 38 pure Arabian horses were examined. When the horse was unsedated, the laryngeal arytenoid movement was assessed using a laryngoscope, and a grading score was assigned accordingly. Unassigned: Evidence of laryngeal movement abnormalities was found in 24 horses (63.15%). The results of laryngoscopy grade were as follows:14 (36.84%) were found as grade 1, 18 were classified as grade 2 (47.36%), only 5 horses were assigned grade 3 (14.82%), one horse showed evidence of arytenoidectomy (2.63%), and none of the investigated horses had grade 4 (0%). Unassigned: Although laryngeal hemiplegia is highly prevalent in large-sized equine breeds, pure Arabians are also affected by this disorder despite their relatively small size in comparison to other breeds like Thoroughbreds.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-30 PubMed ID: 41069487PubMed Central: PMC12507041DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.56Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated the movement of the arytenoid cartilage in the larynx of pure Arabian horses using endoscopic examination.
  • The research aimed to identify any abnormalities in arytenoid movement, which can affect breathing and is typically associated with large horse breeds but was less studied in Arabians.

Background

  • The equine larynx plays a critical role in maintaining an open upper respiratory tract for effective breathing.
  • Laryngeal hemiplegia, a disorder causing paralysis or weakness of one side of the larynx, is common in large horse breeds but less documented in Arabian horses.
  • Impaired arytenoid movement due to this condition can restrict airflow and affect the horse’s respiratory performance.

Study Objectives

  • To assess the arytenoid cartilage movements in pure Arabian horses using a laryngoscope.
  • To determine the prevalence of laryngeal movement abnormalities in this breed.

Methods

  • A total of 38 pure Arabian horses were selected for the study.
  • The horses were examined without sedation to avoid any influence on arytenoid movement.
  • Laryngoscopic examination was performed by inserting a laryngoscope to visualize the larynx and assess arytenoid cartilage mobility.
  • Each horse’s laryngeal function was graded based on arytenoid movement using a scoring system, typically ranging from normal function to paralysis.

Results

  • 24 out of 38 horses (63.15%) showed abnormalities in arytenoid movement, suggesting a relatively high prevalence of laryngeal dysfunction in Arabian horses.
  • The grading breakdown was:
    • Grade 1 (normal or minimal impairment): 14 horses (36.84%)
    • Grade 2 (mild to moderate impairment): 18 horses (47.36%)
    • Grade 3 (severe impairment): 5 horses (14.82%)
    • Grade 4 (complete paralysis) was not observed in any horse.
    • One horse showed evidence of arytenoidectomy, a surgical intervention for laryngeal paralysis (2.63%).

Conclusions

  • Although Arabian horses are smaller and less commonly linked to laryngeal hemiplegia compared to large breeds like Thoroughbreds, this study indicates that they can also be significantly affected.
  • The relatively high incidence of arytenoid movement abnormalities suggests that laryngeal diseases should be considered during clinical evaluations of Arabian horses presenting with respiratory symptoms.
  • Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes and implications for Arabian horses and to develop appropriate treatment protocols.

Cite This Article

APA
Al Shehab G, Naji R, Alali F, Alali A, Allowaim A, Almohammed A, Aljasim D, Alkhalifah A, Alhammad YMA, Marzok M, Mohamad ZA, Almuhanna AH. (2025). Laryngoscopic evaluation of arytenoid movements in pure Arabian horses. Open Vet J, 15(6), 2875-2881. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.56

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Pages: 2875-2881

Researcher Affiliations

Al Shehab, Ghaliah
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Naji, Razan
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Alali, Fatimah
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Alali, Anfal
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Allowaim, Ahmad
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Almohammed, Ali
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Aljasim, Dawood
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Alkhalifah, Amen
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Alhammad, Yousef M A
  • Department of Studies and Development, King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center (KAAHC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Marzok, Mohamed
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamad, Zakriya Al
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Almuhanna, Abdulaziz Habib
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Laryngoscopy / veterinary
  • Arytenoid Cartilage / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Female
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / veterinary
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / diagnosis
  • Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary
  • Laryngeal Diseases / diagnosis

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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