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November 2011

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VETERINARY

as yearling sale season approaches O

N MOST stud farms, the running of the Melbourne Cup usually signals the beginning of the end of the stud season. It also signals the beginning of the yearling sale preparation season. As the first yearlings on stud farms enter their preparation for sales early in 2012, most yearling managers will arrange to have these horses undergo an Upper Respiratory Tract Laryngoscopic Evaluation or scope at the beginning of the preparation. The sale conditions for yearling sales in Australia allow for scoping of horses within 24 hours after the fall of the hammer and for the sale to be cancelled if the horse shows evidence of seven specific conditions listed or any other condition that will cause significant airway obstruction. Scoping involves the insertion of a flexible endoscope with a camera attached, through one nostril of the horse to the back of its throat. This technique allows a visual examination of the structure and function of the back of the throat while the horse is breathing and swallowing. It allows a veterinarian to detect physical abnormalities as well as signs of inflammation or infection. Scoping horses on farm just prior to the end of a sale preparation and before they travel to the sales complex is common practice. This is allows the manager and the studs veterinarian to formulate a treatment plan for those horses which require

SCOPING VITAL

While scoping horses at the end of the sales preparation is useful, it is recommended as best practice that yearlings are also scoped at the beginning of the preparation in order to detect any abnormalities. This early scope will allow the veterinarian to determine if a horse has any of the problems listed in the sale conditions or any serious, permanent abnormality that cannot be corrected.

If a minor infection is detected at this stage it can be treated and managed so as not to worsen the condition during the preparation and have the horse fit and ready for sale. If a condition that requires surgery is detected, it may Endoscopic view of the back of a yearlings be relatively simple and the horse may be able to throat. The round orange area shows continue the preparation infection and inflammation. after surgery. If a more medication prior to travel and allows the serious condition is manager to give their yearling clients predetected then arrangements can be made to treat warning of any potential problems that the horse may the horse and enter it in a later sale. If a permanent have. Many of the abnormalities found in the throats abnormality is detected at this stage it can save the of yearlings are relatively minor and respond well to client the expense of the yearling preparation. medical therapy with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory When presenting horses for sale no one likes surprises. treatment. Other conditions require specific surgery to Early prep scoping gives managers a head start in correct. Occasionally a horse will have a serious, managing these problems and getting a healthy horse permanent abnormality, which cannot be treated or to the sale ring. corrected. Fortunately this is quite uncommon.