Pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal disorders in South African Thoroughbred racehorses: prevalence and relationship with performance

We sought to determine the prevalence of pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal disorders in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Africa and to determine their relationship with racing performance. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 3.5 months on 1,005 Thoroughbred racehorses. After racing, videoendoscopic examination of the pharynx, larynx and trachea was performed on unsedated, pre-enrolled racehorses. The presence and characteristics of respiratory tract disorders were evaluated and recorded onto digital video disc. Thereafter, the prevalence of the observed disorders was compared to race career performance records.