A pair of recent studies conducted by researchers in New York, Ireland, and Australia have provided new information about the equine throat. Articles about both research projects appeared in the May 2003 issue of the Equine Veterinary Journal.

In New York, scientists at Cornell University looked at dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), which interferes with breathing in horses. The exact cause of the condition has not been identified, but their work suggests the function of the thyrohyoid muscles could play an important role.

The researchers exercised 10 horses on a high-speed treadmill, and examined them using videoendoscopy. None showed signs of DDSP in two separate trials. After the thyrohyoid muscles were disabled surgically, seven of the 10 developed DDSP.

A sham treatment (in which no polyester sutures were placed) performed was not successful in four of six horses. These four and two others received surgery to correct the function of the muscle. This surgery proved successful as a correction for DDSP in five out of six horses