Race Performance After Laryngoplasty and Ventriculocordectomy in National Hunt Racehorses

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of laryngoplasty (LP) on race performance in longer distance (National Hunt) Thoroughbred racehorses. Case-control study. National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses (n=71) and race-matched controls (n=126). Race records for National Hunt racehorses that had LP and ventriculocordectomy were analyzed and racing performance was compared with race-matched controls. Sixty-three of 71 cases were matched with controls. Postoperatively, 78% of cases raced, 47% improved their individual performance and cases were as likely to start in 1 or 3 races as controls. In the 5 preoperative races, case horses earned less prize money than race-matched controls but there was no difference in prize money earned in 5 postoperative races between groups. Cases started in significantly fewer total (lifetime) races both before and after the date of surgery compared with controls. LP seemingly restored short-term postoperative racing performance of National Hunt horses to a level comparable with that of a matched control population; however, the career "longevity" of case horses appears to be shorter than that of control horses. LP appears to be a suitable treatment for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in National Hunt racehorses.