Does Wind Surgery Improve Horse Racing Performance?
Ever noticed a small symbol next to a horse’s name on the racecard and wondered what it means? You might have come across talk about wind surgery and its possible effects on racehorses.
Some trainers and jockeys feel these procedures can help a horse perform better, though opinions vary. If you’re new to racing, or just curious, it can be hard to separate firm evidence from hearsay.
With transparency in betting under close scrutiny, it could help to understand what wind surgery involves and how it might influence a horse’s next run. Read on to learn more.
What Is Wind Surgery in Horse Racing?
Wind surgery is a medical procedure designed to help horses breathe more easily during exercise, particularly at racing speed. Certain airway issues can reduce airflow and make it harder for a horse to sustain its effort on the track.
Two procedures are mentioned most often. “Soft palate cautery” treats loose soft tissue at the back of the mouth that can interfere with breathing under pressure. The “tie-back” operation supports part of the larynx so the airway stays open when a horse is working hard. Each case is assessed by a veterinary surgeon, who recommends the approach that best fits the underlying problem.
In the UK, trainers must declare if a horse has had wind surgery. You will usually see “WS” next to the horse’s name on the racecard so the information is clear to everyone. Different sites may display the symbol in their own way, but it should be easy to spot in the form lines or horse details.
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Does a Wind Op Improve a Horse’s Racing Results?
There are well-known examples of horses running better after a wind op, but the picture is mixed. Surgery aims to make breathing more efficient, which can help a horse sustain its run. Even so, improvement is not guaranteed.
Studies provide a useful guide. Research published in Equine Veterinary Journal in 2019 followed racehorses after surgery and found that roughly half showed some uplift in performance. That also means many did not. Training, fitness, race distance, ground, tactics and the standard of opposition all play their part, so it is rarely one factor on its own.
If you see “WS” on a racecard, it can be a useful note, but it might be best viewed alongside other context such as the horse’s previous form, the trainer’s recent record and how the horse shapes over its preferred trip. That broader picture tends to be more informative than the surgery marker in isolation.
Types of Wind Surgery in UK Racing
In UK racing, “wind surgery” refers to a range of veterinary procedures designed to improve a racehorse’s breathing efficiency and overall performance. The following section outlines the main types of wind operations commonly used and how each aims to address specific upper-airway issues.
Common Procedures and What They Fix
Wind surgery covers several operations, each aimed at a specific airway problem.
The “tie-back” (laryngeal tie-back) is used when part of the larynx collapses inward, narrowing the airway. A stitch holds it open so airflow is less restricted during fast work. Soft palate cautery treats unstable soft tissue that can displace and interfere with breathing at speed, using controlled heat to stiffen and support the area.
Less common approaches include tie-forward techniques or procedures targeting structures like the epiglottis or vocal cords. The choice depends on what a vet finds during examination, often with an endoscope while the horse is exercising to reproduce race conditions.
Recovery, aftercare and how the horse is trained afterwards can influence outcomes. That is why the “WS” note might be best viewed as useful background context rather than a promise of what will happen next time.
When Should a Trainer Consider a Wind Op?
Trainers usually investigate a wind issue if a horse makes an abnormal noise when galloping, fades unexpectedly despite seeming fit, or shows inconsistent finishing effort without another clear cause. Because not every problem is obvious from the ground, vets may use a camera to examine the airway during exercise and pinpoint what is happening.
The decision to operate weighs up the horse’s age, general health, the severity of the issue and future plans. Sometimes management changes, schooling or a different race distance can help without surgery. Where a clinically significant obstruction is found, surgery may be one of the options discussed.
If an operation goes ahead, the declaration appears as “WS” on the racecard so followers of the sport have the same information. That keeps everyone aligned on what has changed since the horse’s last run.
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