The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds

Reardon, R.J.M., Fraser, B.S.L., Heller, J., Lischer, C., Parkin, T. and Bladon, B.M. (2010) The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds. Equine Veterinary Journal, 40(5), pp. 508-513. (doi: 10.2746/042516408X320898)

Abstract

Summary: Reasons for performing the study: There have been no reports of the efficacy of thermocautery of the soft palate (TSP) assessed objectively as a treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Objective: To compare: racing performance of horses that underwent thermocautery of the soft palate with matched controls; and ‘Racing Post ratings’ (RPR) with prize money won (RE) and a performance index (PI) for each of the horses in the study. Hypothesis: Thermocautery of the soft palate has no beneficial effect on racing performance and the 3 measures of performance are significantly related. Methods: The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 110 horses and each was matched with 2 controls. Changes in performance were compared statistically. RPR, RE and PI were analysed using a regression model. Results: The percentage of horses that improved in performance following the procedure was 28–51% for the 3 measures of performance, compared to 21–53% for the matched controls. There was no significant effect of the procedure on the changes in RPR or RE. There was a significant effect of the procedure on the change in PI (P = 0.015) with more treated horses achieving an improved PI and fewer acquiring a worse PI than matched control horses. The measures of performance showed significant correlation. Conclusions: Thermocautery of the soft palate alone may not be the most efficacious treatment of DDSP.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Parkin, Professor Tim and Lischer, Prof Christoph and Heller, Ms Jane
• Authors: Reardon, R.J.M., Fraser, B.S.L., Heller, J., Lischer, C., Parkin, T., and Bladon, B.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Equine Veterinary Journal
• ISSN: 0425-1644
• ISSN (Online): 2042-3306