A new surgical procedure known as the laryngeal tie-forward might provide a more reliable treatment for dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), the most common airway obstruction affecting performance horses. Current surgical procedures have about a 60% success rate, but Cornell University researchers say this procedure has a 10-20% greater chance of success.

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate is a common upper respiratory problem that causes poor performance in horses by obstructing airflow. The condition (sometimes referred to as choking down) is characterized by a fluttering noise that occurs during strenuous exercise and is caused by the soft palate (the rear roof of the mouth) moving up and over the epiglottis (a triangle shaped cartilage that prevents food from entering the windpipe) and partially blocking the airway.

According to a study published in the September edition of the Equine Veterinary Journal researchers concluded that 87% of the 98 horses that underwent the tie-forward procedure showed improved performance, 12% remained unchanged, and 2% were considered to be worse. In comparison, current surgical methods improve the horse’s condition about 60-70% of the time. Most horses undergoing the tie-forward procedure require approximately two weeks of rest before returning to normal exercise.

“Dorsal displacement of the soft palate is a very common upper airway abnormality seen in performance horses such as racehorses,” said Brett Woodie, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital (who performed the research when he was at Cornell). “The tie-forward is another surgical option for palate displacement and so far we have seen a much better success rate compared with other surgical treatments for this condition