Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate
(DDSP)
is usually intermittent and usually occurs during exercise. The
caudal border of the soft palate moves from its normal position
(ventral to the epiglottis) dorsally above the epiglottis causing
an
expiratory respiratory noise.
This causes the horse to re-breathe expired and inspired air and
may cause abnormal blood gases and exercise intolerance.
Not all horses with a history of a high-speed expiratory upper
respiratory noise that are examined will have DDSP.
Surgery or management (using tongue ties, special bits etc) or
both are the most common methods to correct the problem.
