wind ops? peoples experiences

[BellaBoobies]

Hi, I am looking for peoples experiences with wind ops done on their horses please? What work they could do before, how they struggled, if they had op and how it improved what workload they could cope with as well as any problems they had afterwards?
My horse is struggling with her wind and I am struggling to make the decision whether to have the op or not?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Aoibhinn]

I have never had a horse that needed a wind operation but my uncles horse had one years ago and it has never affected her. She is still able to do the same amount of work she was beforehand.
My neighbours two thoroughbreds also got wind ops, one was more serious that the other I think but neither have been affected by it. They are both still in full training and doing well.
However, be aware that most horses cannot neigh after the operation. It's a weird kind of hoarse croak comes out? I don't think that it affects them negatively at all

 

[mytwofriends]

My now retired horse had a wind op a few months after I bought him. He had been in awful condition and hadn't been ridden in a long time, so I took him on as a "rescue", not caring that I couldn't try him.

After a few weeks we introduced gentle work, building up to a few steps of trot - and then it became apparent all wasn't well as he made a dreadful noise. The vet suggested scoping him, and found he had severe 5/5 laryngeal paralysis. He's a big boy; a 16.2 Gelderlander, so not your average wind op candidate, but for me it was a no brainer.

He had a tie-back and a hobday in October 2007 and the difference was amazing. Several weeks (5 I think) box rest, with hand-walking, but he was like a different horse and I could at last concentrate on getting him fit. He didn't look back.

He's retired now due to arthritis, and he's in his mid-20's, but his wind op rejuvenated him.

And yes, his voice is affected, but he still tries and it just sounds like someone's turned his volume down a few notches!