The effect of a tongue-tie in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Abstract: Tongue-ties are frequently used in an attempt to prevent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a tongue-tie in horses clinically affected with the disorder. Videoendoscopic recordings and measurements of respiratory airflow were made simultaneously during high intensity treadmill exercise in 6 Thoroughbred racehorses with confirmed DDSP, with and without a tongue-tie. DDSP was confirmed in all 6 horses without the tongue-tie but occurred in only 4 horses with the tongue-tie in place. In one horse the palate displaced only on slowing down after intense exercise and in the other horse DDSP did not occur although palatal instability remained. The presence of the tongue-tie did not result in any significant alteration in run-time to fatigue or in any of the respiratory variables measured. The results suggest that the use of a tongue-tie may prevent DDSP in individual horses although it is not effective in the majority, consistent with the widely accepted anecdotal reports of success rates for its use. Where DDSP was not prevented, application of a tongue-tie did not improve ventilation.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405729DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05461.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article is about assessing the effectiveness of using a tongue-tie in racehorses that have a disorder known as dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).
Research Purpose
- The study’s main aim was to ascertain the effectiveness of utilizing a tongue-tie in horses that are clinically diagnosed with DDSP.
Methodology
- To gather data for the study, the researchers used videoendoscopic recordings and measurements of respiratory airflow. This process was performed during high-strength treadmill exercise in six Thoroughbred racehorses.
- All the horses used in this study were confirmed to have the DDSP disorder. The exercise trials were done with and without a tongue-tie for comparison purposes.
Findings
- The study findings revealed that all six horses had confirmed DDSP when they did not have a tongue-tie. However, the disorder was observed in only four horses when the tongue-tie was applied.
- In one unique case, the horse’s palate only displaced when the intensity of exercise was reduced, while another horse did not exhibit DDSP despite evidence of palatal instability.
- The application of a tongue-tie did not significantly alter the run-time to fatigue or any other measured respiratory variables.
Conclusion
- The study implies that using a tongue-tie might prevent DDSP in some horses but is not consistently effective in the majority of cases. This aligns with anecdotal reports suggesting varying success rates in using a tongue-tie.
- Further, the study suggests that even where DDSP was not prevented, the application of a tongue-tie did not improve ventilation.
Cite This Article
APA
Franklin SH, Naylor JR, Lane JG.
(2002).
The effect of a tongue-tie in horses with dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 430-433.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05461.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Anatomy, Equine Centre, University of Bristol, Langford, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / physiopathology
- Airway Obstruction / prevention & control
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Animals
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Male
- Palate, Soft / physiopathology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Running
- Tongue / physiopathology
- Treatment Outcome
- Video Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 8 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).
- 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).
- Mactaggart G, Waran N, Phillips CJC. Identification of Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare Issues by Industry Stakeholders. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 11;11(5).
- 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).
- Bergmann IM. Naturalness and the Legitimacy of Thoroughbred Racing: A Photo-Elicitation Study with Industry and Animal Advocacy Informants. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 26;10(9).
- Mellor DJ. Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 29;10(4).
- Mellor DJ, Beausoleil NJ. Equine Welfare during Exercise: An Evaluation of Breathing, Breathlessness and Bridles. Animals (Basel) 2017 May 26;7(6).
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