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Prevalence of pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal disorders in thoroughbred racehorses, and effect on performance.
Abstract: Endoscopic examinations were performed on 1005 thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa a mean (sd) 24 (12.3) minutes after racing, to determine the prevalence of pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal disorders, and to determine the relationship of these disorders with performance (number of wins and placed finishes). Overall, there was a low prevalence of grade 2 and 3 laryngeal function (LF) (2.2 per cent), grade 4 LF (0.6 per cent), epiglottic entrapment (1.3 per cent), subepiglottic cyst (0.2 per cent) and epiglottic deformity (0.6 per cent), while a higher prevalence of grade 2 to 4 pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH) (63 per cent), laryngeal debris (43.5 per cent), tracheal debris (21.9 per cent), tracheal mucus (99.5 per cent) and tracheal cartilaginous nodules (TCNs) (6.8 per cent) was observed. Performance was not affected by the presence of epiglottic deformity, grade 2 and 3 LF, grade 4 LF, debris within the trachea or larynx, or epiglottic entrapment. Grade 3 PLH occurred in younger racehorses; performance was impaired in horses with grade 2 and 3 PLH. Furthermore, TCNs were more prevalent in male racehorses and were associated with better performance.
Publication Date: 2009-10-13 PubMed ID: 19820257DOI: 10.1136/vr.165.15.431Google 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
- 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.
This research studied the occurrence of certain throat and windpipe disorders in thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa, and the impact of these disorders on their racing performance. It found that some disorders were common but did not affect performance, whilst others were less common but did impair racing ability.
Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to understand the prevalence of pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal disorders in thoroughbred racehorses.
- It also sought to establish if, and how, these disorders affected the horses’ racing performance.
- The investigation involved endoscopic examinations on 1005 thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa.
- These examinations took place, on average, 24 minutes after a race.
Findings on Prevalence of Disorders
- The research revealed low prevalence of specific laryngeal disorders (grade 2 and 3 LF and grade 4 LF), epiglottic entrapment, subepiglottic cyst and epiglottic deformity.
- Conversely, a higher prevalence of other disorders was found, including pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH), laryngeal debris, tracheal debris, tracheal mucus, and tracheal cartilaginous nodules (TCNs).
Impact of Disorders on Performance
- The presence of certain disorders did not affect racing performance. These included epiglottic deformity, varying grades of laryngeal function, tracheal or larynx debris, and epiglottic entrapment.
- However, the appearance of grade 2 and grade 3 PLH was found in younger racehorses and negatively impacted their performance.
- Interestingly, TCNs were found to occur more frequently in male racehorses and were linked with better racing performance.
Significance
- This study aids the understanding of how certain throat and windpipe disorders affect racehorses’ performance.
- These findings may influence future diagnostic and treatment approaches in equine healthcare, potentially leading to improved racing outcomes.
Cite This Article
APA
Saulez MN, Gummow B.
(2009).
Prevalence of pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal disorders in thoroughbred racehorses, and effect on performance.
Vet Rec, 165(15), 431-435.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.165.15.431 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section of Equine Medicine, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies,, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa. montague.saulez@up.ac.za
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Laryngeal Diseases / physiopathology
- Laryngeal Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Pharyngeal Diseases / physiopathology
- Pharyngeal Diseases / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Running
- Sports
- Tracheal Diseases / physiopathology
- Tracheal Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- 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.
- Cullinane A, Garvey M, Walsh C, Gibbons J, Creighton A. A Scoping Review of Non-Structural Airway Disease as a Cause of Poor Performance in Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 27;13(3).
- Finger MA, Biava JS, Dornbusch PT, Perotta JH, Ullmann LS, Serpa PBDS, Kmetiuk LB, Dos Santos AP, Biondo AW, Leutenegger C, Filho IRB. Molecular detection of equid herpesvirus in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from asymptomatic horses in Southern Brazil. Vet World 2022 Nov;15(11):2597-2602.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Ferrucci F. Impact of Lower Airway Inflammation on Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 21;12(22).
- Mazan M. Equine exercise physiology-challenges to the respiratory system. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):15-24.
- Miller SM. Endoscopic recurrent laryngeal neuropathy grade prevalence in a sample of thoroughbred yearlings at public auction in South Africa (2013-2019). J S Afr Vet Assoc 2020 Apr 20;91(0):e1-e5.
- Kozłowska N, Borowska M, Jasiński T, Wierzbicka M, Domino M. Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Equine Pharyngeal Lymphoid Hyperplasia Using the Object Detection-Based Processing Technique of Digital Endoscopic Images. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 22;15(18).
- Norton AM, Rosanowski SM, O'Brien T. Comparative analysis of racing performance following surgical correction of epiglottic entrapment in standardbreds and thoroughbreds. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1479144.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Evaluation of fitness parameters in relation to racing results in 245 Standardbred trotter horses submitted for poor performance examination: A retrospective study. PLoS One 2023;18(10):e0293202.
- Nath LC, Elliott A, La Gerche A, Weir J, Forbes G, Thomas G, Franklin S. Associations between postrace atrial fibrillation and measures of performance, racing history and airway disease in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):2573-2583.
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