Equine Veterinary Journal最新文献

{"title":"Review of articular cartilage repair techniques and their application in the horse.","authors":"Charlotte K Barton, Brad B Nelson, Laurie R Goodrich","doi":"10.1002/evj.70162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Articular cartilage lesions represent a significant career-limiting problem in athletic horses. A healthy articular cartilage surface is vital for optimal joint function, and defects can result in irreversible degenerative changes. Successful treatment of cartilage lesions remains a long-standing challenge for orthopaedic surgeons, prompting ongoing research into new surgical techniques for their management. This narrative review describes surgical procedures for the treatment of cartilage/osteochondral lesions, as well as the use of the horse as a highly translational preclinical model to humans, resulting in the advancement of repair techniques for both horses and humans alike. The review encompasses both traditional techniques such as debridement and microfracture, as well as newly developed techniques and cellular therapies such as osteochondral transplantation, cell transplantation, and biologic or synthetic scaffolds. The efficacy and limitations of these approaches, as well as recent advances in the development of new biomaterials, cellular therapies, and surgical implants that are shaping the future of cartilage repair, are discussed. While there is no existing treatment that can restore normal cartilage structure and function, newly developed treatments have shown an improved quality of repair tissue experimentally. However, the translation to improved patient outcomes lags behind.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of shoeing on forelimb biomechanics in walking horses.","authors":"Jau-Yi Wang, Shanyuanye Guan, Elizabeth Walmsley, Denny Wells, Marcus G Pandy, Chris Whitton","doi":"10.1002/evj.70182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hoof trimming and shoeing techniques are used to manage and prevent equine limb injuries. However, quantitative studies comparing the effects of different shoeing techniques on equine joint biomechanics over the full gait cycle are lacking.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To measure and compare joint motion and net torques at the distal forelimb joints when horses walk overground unshod, with a standard flat shoe, and with a rocker shoe.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>In vivo study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Gait data were recorded from 12 sound horses during walking. Three shoeing conditions were tested: unshod, flat shoe, and rocker shoe. Data were recorded for each shoeing condition immediately after trimming (short hoof condition) and again after 6 weeks of hoof growth (long hoof condition). Three-dimensional motion capture and retro-reflective skin markers recorded left forelimb motion, while synchronised force plates measured the corresponding ground reaction force. Inverse dynamics was used to calculate the net torques developed about the distal forelimb joints. Statistical comparisons were performed with multilevel mixed effects generalised linear models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>While there were limited effects of trimming and shoeing, the rocker shoe was associated with higher walking speed (by 9.3 ± 9.7%) and reduced stride duration (by 4.9 ± 6.9%) compared with the flat shoe for the short hoof condition (p < 0.001). Throughout the stride cycle, the fetlock joint was less extended (by 9.0 ± 13.7°) while the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) was more extended (by 10.7 ± 16.6°) for both shoeing types compared to unshod regardless of hoof growth (p < 0.005). Higher peak torques were generated at the DIPJ for flat shoe compared to unshod (by 0.05 ± 0.27 Nm/kg) in the short hoof condition, and for flat shoe compared to rocker shoe (by 0.03 ± 0.14 Nm/kg) in the long hoof condition (p < 0.05 for both).</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>The horses were tested at a low-speed walking gait.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Forelimb joint biomechanics did not differ substantially across the three shoeing and two hoof-growth conditions. Future studies should test the robustness of these findings at the trot and canter.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Piezosurgical partial ostectomy of the incisive bone for an ossifying fibroma removal in a 4-year-old Warmblood gelding.","authors":"G Forni, M E Falomo, I Casalini, M Isola","doi":"10.1002/evj.70178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ossifying fibromas are uncommon in horses and complete surgical excision with premaxillectomy, maxillectomy or mandibulectomy is recommended. Piezosurgery has been previously used in equines only in one study.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To report a case of ossifying fibroma treated with piezosurgery and to describe its follow-up.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Clinical case report.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 4-year-old Zangersheide gelding was presented for a mass occupying the space of tooth 202. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of ossifying fibroma, which was removed by resection of soft tissues and a slice of the premaxilla with a piezotome. First intention closure was achieved with a U-plasty between the soft palate and the gingiva. Afterwards, histology confirmed complete removal of the mass.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At 5 months, the horse did not show signs of recurrence. Surgery was easy to perform with the piezotome and the cosmetic result was excellent.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Piezosurgery is a feasible technique for oral surgeries in horses, although more prospective studies are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The prevalence of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi carriers in the Netherlands.","authors":"R M A C Houben, E M Broens, M J Broekhuizen-Stins, M M Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, C van Maanen, J A P Heesterbeek","doi":"10.1002/evj.70177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) carriers are thought to be important drivers for strangles outbreaks. Limited data are available on the prevalence of carriers in European horse husbandry settings.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To estimate the prevalence of S. equi carriers among apparently healthy adult horses and ponies in the Netherlands.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional survey.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The carrier prevalence in the Netherlands was estimated, detecting carriers by PCR analysis of three repeated nasopharyngeal lavages at weekly intervals. Bayesian methods were used for a true prevalence estimation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred and sixty-six horses on 86 premises were sampled. The posterior distribution gave a mean and median estimate for true prevalence of 2.0% and 1.6%, respectively, with a 95% credible interval of [0.1%, 5.9%].</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>The target of 200 participants in the cross-sectional survey was not reached. The sensitivity of three repeated nasopharyngeal lavages for the detection of carriership remains uncertain.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The carrier prevalence estimate of 2.0% reported here is in the same order of magnitude as recent reports from other countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age, embryo donor status, and insemination with chilled semen all predispose to persistent breeding-induced endometritis in warmblood mares.","authors":"Tom Stout, Rik Serrarens, Bart Leemans, Anthony Claes","doi":"10.1002/evj.70175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) is a common reason for mares failing to establish pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the hypothesis that advancing mare age and embryo donor status predispose to PBIE and compromise fertility.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Retrospective analysis of the impact of mare age, breeding system (embryo donor versus broodmare), and semen type (chilled versus frozen-thawed) on the likelihood of PBIE and subsequent pregnancy/embryo recovery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Warmblood mares (n = 769) inseminated during 1745 oestrous cycles were divided into three age categories (≤6, 7-13 and ≥14 years) and as embryo donors versus broodmares. PBIE was defined as the detection of >2 cm intrauterine fluid from the day after insemination. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the effect of mare age, breeding system, semen type, inseminated cycle number, ovulation induction, oestrus induction, reproductive status (barren, foaling, maiden), treatment for fluid accumulation (oxytocin, uterine lavage, post-ovulation antibiotic infusion, pre-breeding corticosteroid administration) and time of year (month) on the incidence of PBIE and pregnancy/embryo recovery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The likelihood of developing PBIE (27.6% of all cycles) was higher in older mares (≥14 years: odds ratio (OR) 6.77: relative risk (RR) 3.28) and ET donors (OR 1.58: RR 1.3) but reduced in foaling mares (OR 0.16: RR 0.37) or when using frozen semen (OR 0.4: RR 0.61). Pregnancy or embryo recovery was lower (OR 0.35: RR 0.68) for frozen-thawed (39.8%) than chilled-transported (58.3%) semen but was not significantly affected by PBIE (p = 0.86), suggesting that treatment was usually sufficient to mitigate the negative effects of PBIE.</p><p><strong>Main limitation: </strong>Retrospective data from a multi-veterinarian clinic; mare status and pregnancy data are missing from some cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Advancing mare age increases the likelihood of PBIE; although embryo donor status and chilled semen use also increase the odds of PBIE, effects on fertility are minimised by simple treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anatomical assessment of endodontic debridement challenges in severely diseased equine cheek teeth.","authors":"Szabolcs Atád Korsós, Iván Josipovic, Lieven Vlaminck","doi":"10.1002/evj.70179","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is a lack of knowledge on orthograde endodontic techniques in horses and endodontic case selection is mostly empirical currently.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore the efficacy of endodontic debridement in severely diseased cheek teeth that are currently deemed unsuitable for endodontic treatment, find where debris is left behind, compare intercanal communications with those described in healthy cheek teeth, explore the effects of endodontic repair mechanisms on endodontic debridement and to investigate the presence of accessory canals and apical deltas in infected parts of the pulp system.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Ex vivo experimental study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nine severely infected, extracted, equine cheek teeth underwent a single stage, ex vivo orthograde endodontic treatment by one clinician. Micro computed tomography scans (μCT) were taken both before and after treatment and all samples were sectioned at 6 levels following treatment. All sections were evaluated through a stereo microscope for the presence of residual debris. Intercanal communications were evaluated based on μCT imaging.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Varying amounts of residual contamination were present in eight of nine teeth in both physiological complexities of the root canal as well as inside altered canal morphology created by reparative dentine. No apical deltas were found in any of the infected canals of the samples. Intercanal communications differed in seven of nine samples from those described in healthy cheek teeth.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Limited sample size, ex vivo debridement, the use of severely diseased cheek teeth currently deemed unsuitable for endodontic treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A single stage endodontic protocol was unable to completely debride the endodontic cavity of severely infected equine cheek teeth. Literature on the anatomy of healthy cheek teeth was not accurate in predicting communications between pulp canals in infected cheek teeth. Apical deltas are likely not a cause of concern during equine endodontic procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of evidence-based information on horse owners' misconceptions of colic.","authors":"K L Burrell, G C W England, J H Burford, S L Freeman","doi":"10.1002/evj.70170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Misconceptions can be defined as 'false, persistent beliefs' or 'inaccurate, prior knowledge' and can influence decision-making.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the impact of evidence-based information on UK horse owners' decision-making for colic.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Mixed-methods cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online survey was distributed to UK horse owners, with four sections: owner demographics; views on decision-making and referral to an equine hospital facility for colic; current knowledge and approach to colic; impact of evidence-based information (including evidence on recognising and responding to colic, and colic surgery survival and outcome data) on decision-making. Statistical analysis was performed using Kendall's tau for continuous variables and Chi-squared testing for categorical variables. Multivariable analysis was performed using a generalised linear model with binomial distribution (logistic regression), with p < 0.05 for model fit. Content analysis was used for free-text answers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 1544 participants met inclusion criteria. Owners were more likely to agree to referral if their horse was insured (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-2.93), and less likely if their horse was older (p < 0.001, CI: 0.90-0.94) or they felt pressure (p < 0.001, CI: 0.44-0.70). Pressure to refer was mainly from veterinary professionals (66%, 367/549) or peers (20%, 110/549). Many participants were unaware of how quickly irreversible intestinal damage could occur (58%, 903/1544), costs of colic surgery and UK insurance cover limits (63%, 966/1544), post-operative survival rates for geriatric vs. non-geriatric horses (65%; 996/1544), or prognosis for return to work following colic surgery (68%, 1052/1544). Sharing evidence-based information had limited impact on decision-making. Free text response analysis identified previous experience of colic, anecdotal information, finances and peer pressures as barriers to change.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Potential for response bias, UK participants only.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Misconceptions around colic were common, with many horse owners reluctant to change their approach after evidence-based information. Intent to pursue referral was less likely with increasing horse age and perceived pressure to refer.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exercising electrocardiograms from Thoroughbred racehorses with exercise associated sudden death.","authors":"Cristobal Navas de Solis, M Durando, L Nath, S Durward-Akhurst","doi":"10.1002/evj.70166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exercise associated sudden death (EASD), defined as a fatal collapse in a closely monitored and previously presumed clinically healthy horse that occurs during exercise or within approximately 1 h after exercise, is disproportionately more common in equine than in human athletes.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe ECGs from EASD cases in Thoroughbred racehorses.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Retrospective case series.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An international call for potential cases was made through direct contact with relevant racing authorities requesting that trainers of horses which had experienced EASD consent to researchers gaining access to any available ECG data recorded with a wearable device prior to or during EASD events. ECGs were evaluated by a single observer and the findings were described and summarised.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eleven horses, with a total of 24 readable ECGs (median [range] 2 [1-4]/horse) were identified. Four horses were wearing an ECG at the time of death; 3 had atrial fibrillation (AF) throughout the recording that led to malignant arrhythmias and death, and the 4th had couplets and triplets with R on T, ventricular fibrillation, and death in the late recovery period. The other seven horses had ECGs recorded 4-462 days before death. One of these horses had AF throughout the recording and died 9 days later. Late recovery arrhythmias were identified in 5 recordings from 3 additional horses.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Small number of horses with EASD were sampled, and use of a single lead ECG limited information on arrhythmia origin.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>ECG screening to detect AF before horses train or race has the potential to reduce EASD incidence. More information is needed for risk stratification of late recovery and other arrhythmias.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147766276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trendelenburg positioning with or without norepinephrine infusion for haemodynamic support in anaesthetised hypovolemic horses.","authors":"Vaidehi V Paranjape, Klaus Hopster, Ismar Lutvikadic, Bernd Driessen","doi":"10.1002/evj.70169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intraoperative haemorrhage during equine anaesthesia is a rare but potentially fatal complication requiring prompt haemodynamic support. Postural manoeuvres such as Trendelenburg (TL) positioning and vasopressor support augment venous return and improve cardiac output (CO), yet their efficacy in anaesthetised hypovolemic horses remains unstudied.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate haemodynamic effects of TL positioning during normovolemia and acute haemorrhagic hypovolemia, and to determine whether concurrent norepinephrine (NE) infusion enhances cardiovascular stabilisation.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>In vivo experiments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six dorsally recumbent isoflurane-anaesthetised horses were studied under normovolemia, acute haemorrhage-induced hypovolemia, and hypovolemia with NE infusion. Haemodynamic variables, including CO, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and heart rate (HR), were recorded at multiple timepoints before, during, and after TL positioning (30° incline). Norepinephrine was administered at 0.1 μg/kg/min to restore MAP above 80 mmHg.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Trendelenburg positioning during normovolemia resulted in modest, transient increases in CO (~28%), MAP (~22%), CVP, and mPAP (p < 0.05), with no change in HR and SVR. Haemorrhagic hypovolemia significantly reduced all haemodynamic indices (p < 0.01) except HR and SVR. TL positioning partially reversed these effects (increase in CO ~40% and MAP ~67%; p < 0.05). Norepinephrine infusion alone during hypovolemia significantly increased CO, MAP, and SVR, with additional improvement when combined with TL positioning (increase in CO ~75%; p < 0.05), suggesting enhanced effects.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Small sample size and use of healthy experimental animals limit translational generalisability of the findings to clinical populations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>TL positioning transiently improves haemodynamics in anaesthetised horses, with more pronounced benefits during hypovolemia. The addition of NE infusion enhances this effect, supporting their combination as a potential physiologic rescue strategy in hypovolemic equine patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147722336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Delphi consensus on Thoroughbred yearling sales endoscopy in Australasia.","authors":"Josephine L Hardwick, Benjamin J Ahern, Brian H Anderson, Samantha H Franklin","doi":"10.1002/evj.70164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Concerns regarding the reliability and consistency of yearling sales endoscopy in Australia and New Zealand have led to reduced industry confidence. Recent studies have clarified the relationship between yearling laryngeal function (YLF) grades and future outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To build expert consensus on the most appropriate method for grading YLF, assess the clinical relevance of each grade on future race performance and prosthetic laryngoplasty risk, and develop guidelines for pre-sale endoscopic technique.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Modified Delphi study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Anonymous, iterative surveys were distributed to expert veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥75% agreement. Surveys included closed and open-ended questions, with qualitative and quantitative data analysed after each round. Panellists received a summary of responses before each subsequent round. Items reaching consensus were excluded from later rounds, and new items were added based on panellist feedback.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three survey rounds were completed, with 40 veterinarians, 39 (97.5%) and 37 (92.3%) respectively. Consensus was achieved on adopting the Havemeyer grading system, standardising pre-sale endoscopic techniques, and implementing a four-tier risk-rating system for YLF grades. Grades I and II.1 YLF were classified as low-risk; grade II.2 as low-moderate-risk; grade III.1 as moderate-risk; and ≥grade III.2 as high-risk. Descriptors were developed to guide risk categorisation based on observed YLF.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Steering committee members were involved in prior research.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides a foundation for evidence-based guidelines that enhance the transparency, consistency, and animal welfare in yearling sales endoscopy, supporting better-informed purchasing decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147671477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}