The TSD (Throat Support Device) is the outcome of over a decade of research conducted at Cornell University’s Equine Performance Testing Clinic designed to better understand the cause of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).  There are many causes of DDSP.  Those with underlying intrinsic nasopharyngeal abnormalities such as subepiglottic or palatal cyst, mass or granuloma, aryepiglottic entrapment or nasopharyngeal inflammatory disease should be managed by established medical or surgical therapies. 

Recent studies at Cornell however indicate that DDSP is typically a functional problem rather than an anatomical problem leading to a series of experiments that focused on factors that could affect the relationships of the palate, larynx and hyoid appartus during high speed exercise.  Ultimately, it was discovered that surgical resection of the thyrohyoideus (TH) muscle in experimental horses leads to displacement that is virtually identical to clinical DDSP during exercise.  We thus believe that a deficit in TH function contributes to DDSP in most horses. 

The TSD is intended to mimic the effect of contraction of the TH muscle.  Other in vivo studies determined that contraction of the TH muscle moves the larynx into a more rostral and dorsal position.  The TSD collar is designed to mimic this effect.  High speed treadmill studies on both experimental horses and naturally occurring cases of DDSP indicate that the TSD collar is effective in prevention of DDSP.  Trainers and veterinarians using this device in racehorses have been very positive about their experiences.