When to Punt on a "CUT THROAT" | Thebigtip

WHEN TO punt on a ‘CUT  THROAT’

Being a good horse, having loads of ability or a good set of lungs and a large heart, or a big engine, is of no use if the horse has a blocked carburettor. As almost everyone knows “if the carby’s blocked, your just blowing fuel out the tail pipe”…. same thing here! Except it’s the pipe under the tail.

Throat surgery on the thoroughbred race horse is not a new practice but it has under gone some serious changes over the years with a lot of trials, successes and failures and recently some new developments.

Traditionally the back part of the throat, or the LARYNGEAL area has been the target of much of the chopping, dicing and cutting. There have been numerous successes but the general opinion amongst horse people is that the failures are far more numerous.

Surgery is done in the laryngeal area for several reasons but mostly for a one sided paralysis traditionally referred to as the broken winded horse! This is due to the fact that one side of the laryngeal area has been partly paralysed and no longer allows air to travel through the throat in an unimpeded manner and the now asymmetrical windpipe opening,  is working not unlike a reed in a flute. (One Kenny G is enough) Hence the noise these horses make is referred to as a ‘high pitched whistle’!

Normal Larynx                                                One sided part paralysis

The most common type of surgery is a ‘Tieback’. This surgery ties back the obstruction to allow normal airflow. Occasionally horses have a more complicated surgery to replace the defunct nerve that is causing the paralysis.

NOT all horses will present as a whistler, but still have a problem. These are Investigated,  usually on poor performance. A recent study (USA) showed that 40% of poor performance horses had a problem with their carburettor. If not the larynx ( voice box) then the problem was with the pharynx ( snoring area / palate) These could also make a noise but often made none.

The PHARYNGEAL area is another kettle of fish, this area precedes the laryngeal and is often over looked during investigations. The types of  symptoms they present with are
(i) always blow too much
(ii) choke down or up!
(iii) hold their breath
(iv) are 'thick' winded but aren't 'broken' winded (paralysed larynx)
(v) gurgle in work
(vi) 'over race' and then STOP!
(vii) don't respond to tongue ties any more.

But often they ‘scope ‘normal’ and these problems can often only be picked up when the horse is galloping or racing.

There are many procedures used to help with these problems the newest of which is the ‘Tie forward’ which is a US invention. The results in some horses have been very good. There is however another procedure that most punters would not be aware of unless they lived in the West. This is called an ‘Ahern Procedure’ and is an Australian invention. Most weeks 3-4 races in this state are won by “Ahern procedure’ patients.

Firstly, stewards of all states, when notifying the public of a throat operation , should disclose the nature of the beast,  if it is LARYNGEAL  or PHARANGEAL  and maybe, hahah, whom performed the operation (glasnost and perestroika, that may see a few scalpels go in the drawer for retirement) .

And now for the important information..... when to back a ‘Cut throat’  In general
1) not first up as regaining confidence is an important part of the horses rehabilitation
2) Watch for improving form as if successful both fitness and confidence will improve with each run
3) look for the most relaxed riders and in particular those that ride on a long rein.
4) also if surgery is successful you can expect the horse to improve from one prep to the next.
5) see if you can find out which ‘procedure’ the horse had. Some get better results than others.
6) JOCKEY’S, certain jocks, ride in the right manner for these operations. Usually patient, with good hands and a relaxed style.

Horses Chin Chin (stayer), Rose (sprinter) and look for the return of Danny Beau from injury (dual state record holder) are a few Ahern Procedure horses to keep an eye on.....