Laryngeal Hemiplegia in Horses: Welfare and Performance

Laryngeal hemiplegia, or roaring, causes airway obstruction during exercise in horses. Management balances performance demands with respiratory welfare.

Key Facts

Laryngeal hemiplegia affects up to 8% of large horses, especially Thoroughbreds
Left-sided paralysis is far more common than right due to nerve length differences
Affected horses cannot breathe adequately at high intensity exercise
The characteristic roaring sound is caused by the paralysed arytenoid cartilage
Surgical tie-back procedures can restore most airway function

Welfare Considerations

A horse struggling to breathe during exercise is experiencing genuine welfare compromise. The ethical issue is that many horses with moderate grades of roaring compete without surgical intervention, tolerating significant respiratory distress. Grading systems exist to assess severity, and welfare-conscious owners should consider whether exercise demands match the horse's respiratory capacity. Tie-back surgery, when indicated, dramatically improves welfare for working horses.

What You Can Do

Have horses showing exercise intolerance or noise assessed by a vet with an endoscope
Grade the severity using the established RVC grading system
Discuss whether tie-back surgery is appropriate for the horse's intended workload
Reduce exercise intensity for horses with significant grades until addressed
Avoid demanding competitions with horses showing untreated severe hemiplegia