Career racing performance in Thoroughbreds treated with prosthetic laryngoplasty for laryngeal neuropathy: 52 cases (1981-1989)

Objective-To compare racing performance before and after prosthetic laryngo plasty for treatment of laryngeal neuropathy in inexperienced and experienc ed Thoroughbred racehorses. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-52 Thoroughbred racehorses treated with prosthetic laryngoplasty fo r laryngeal neuropathy. Procedure-Lifetime race records were analyzed by use of a verified regressi on model. Individual race records and hospital records were also reviewed. Results-Experienced horses had a decline in performance, as measured by per formance index, earnings percentage, and mean prediction error, during the 6-month period before prosthetic laryngoplasty. Performance improved after surgery, relative to performance in 1 to 4 races immediately before surgery , but did not attain previous baseline values for performance index and ear nings percentage, although racing speed was restored to baseline values. Fa ctors associated with failure to attain baseline levels of performance incl uded other racing-related injuries and disorders, major complications of su rgery, and age. Individually, however, many horses had long and successful careers after surgery. Performance of inexperienced horses after surgery wa s at least equal to that of experienced horses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-In addition to warning clients of the co mplications associated with prosthetic laryngoplasty, it may be prudent to provide a guarded prognosis for full restoration of racing performance in o lder horses, unless they are especially talented and are free of other raci ng-related problems.