Endoscope Equine: What Horse Owners Should Know About This Diagnostic Tool

Created on 07.15
0
Alt text: Veterinarian performing an endoscope equine exam on a horse with assistance from handler
When your horse starts coughing more than usual, breathing heavily during exercise, or seems to struggle with swallowing, it’s easy to feel concerned, but hard to know where to start.
That’s where a tool like the endoscope equine comes into play.
While it may sound clinical, equine endoscopy for respiratory issues is actually a straightforward, minimally invasive way for vets to look inside a horse’s airways or digestive tract and find out what’s really going on.
It’s one of the most trusted diagnostic tools in modern equine care, yet many horse owners still don’t know how an equine endoscope workswhen to use endoscopy on a horse, or what to expect during an equine endoscopy exam.
What Is an Equine Endoscope?
0
Alt text: Horse owner checking for signs of discomfort before an equine endoscopy procedure
An equine endoscope is a long, flexible tube equipped with a small camera and a light at the end.
It’s designed to be gently inserted through a horse’s nostril or mouth to provide a live video view of internal structures like the:
  • Nasal passages
  • Throat
  • Larynx
  • Trachea
  • Esophagus
  • Stomach
Because it’s so narrow and flexible, it can explore these areas without surgery or pain.
The vet watches the video feed in real time on a monitor, which makes it easier to spot inflammation, foreign objects, abnormal tissue, or functional problems that don’t show up on X-rays.
Unlike imaging like radiographs or ultrasounds, endoscopy gives a direct, visual look - it’s not a guess, it’s what’s actually there.
That precision is what makes it so valuable, especially in cases where symptoms are vague or ongoing.
Want clearer answers about your horse’s health? Ask your vet if using an equine endoscope could help, it’s one of the most accurate ways to see what’s really going on inside.
When Is Equine Endoscopy Used?
You won’t need an endoscope for every cough or sneeze, but when problems persist or show up repeatedly without explanation, it can provide the answers you’re looking for.
Common situations where endoscopy is recommended include:
  • Chronic coughing
  • Noisy or labored breathing during work
  • Nasal discharge
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Episodes of choke
  • Exercise intolerance.
It’s also frequently used in performance horses to evaluate airway health or when gastric ulcers are suspected.
For instance, a young eventing horse began losing steam mid-course, even though he was fit and eating well - a puzzling issue that didn’t show up in basic exams or bloodwork.
A dynamic endoscopy - performed while the horse was in motion - revealed a partial collapse of the arytenoid cartilage, a condition that only appeared under physical exertion and would have been missed with standard diagnostics.
This real-time, in-motion imaging gave vets the exact insight needed to diagnose the issue accurately.
With this information, the treatment plan was adjusted, and the horse’s performance improved dramatically - a clear example of how equine endoscopy can directly impact recovery and success in performance horses.
💡Pro Tip: Some veterinarians now use high-speed cameras to capture detailed images while horses are exercising. This is particularly useful for diagnosing issues that only manifest during activity, not at rest.
How the Endoscope Equine Procedure Works
0
Alt text: Rider preparing her horse for a possible endoscope equine evaluation after performance issues
If your vet recommends an equine endoscopy, it’s natural to feel a little nervous.
But the process is much simpler than it sounds, and most horses tolerate it very well.
1. Pre-Exam Preparation
The preparation depends on what area the vet is examining.
If the stomach or esophagus is involved, your horse may need to fast for 6 to 12 hours beforehand to ensure a clear view.
For throat or nasal examinations, fasting usually isn’t required.
The vet may also perform a brief physical check to confirm your horse is healthy enough for the procedure.
In some cases, light sedation is used to help the horse stay calm and still, especially if it’s their first time or they’re a bit nervous.
2. Inserting the Scope
Once your horse is calm, the endoscope is carefully inserted through the nostril or mouth, depending on the target area.
Because the tube is so thin and flexible, it usually causes minimal discomfort, and most horses tolerate it surprisingly well, especially if it’s done with a steady hand and gentle approach.
3. Real-Time Viewing
As the scope moves through the upper airway or esophagus, the camera transmits a clear, real-time video feed to a monitor.
This allows the vet to navigate with precision and pause to examine any concerning areas.
They’re not just looking for “damage” - they’re observing function, movement, and subtle signs like mucus buildup, inflammation, structural collapse, or tissue changes.
4. Tissue Sampling or Foreign Object Removal
If the vet sees something unusual, like a growth, ulcer, or embedded object, they can often use small tools attached to the endoscope to take a biopsy or gently remove the material.
This can save your horse from more invasive procedures later on.
5. Quick Recovery
The scope is then removed slowly, and your horse will typically be back to normal within minutes.
If sedation was used, recovery might take a bit longer, but most horses go home the same day without any complications.
Is Equine Endoscopy Safe?
Yes - when performed by a trained professional, equine endoscopy is considered very safe.
The equipment is designed to be smooth and gentle, and the risks are minimal.
That said, mild sedation always carries a small risk, especially for older or medically compromised horses.
Some horses may experience minor nasal irritation or sneezing for a short time afterward, but serious side effects are rare.
Studies show that serious complications from sedation in horses occur in about  1 out of every 400 cases, meaning the vast majority tolerate the procedure safely
💡Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about the process, ask your vet whether they’ve done many of these procedures and what kind of sedation they use. A simple conversation can go a long way in helping you feel more confident about your horse’s care.
What Can Equine Endoscopy Detect?
0
Alt text: Grooming a horse during health checkup leading up to an equine endoscopy exam
This tool is incredibly versatile. It can spot issues that you can’t see on the outside or through regular imaging.
So, if your horse has strange symptoms that don’t seem to add up, this might be the key to figuring out what’s really going on.
Some of the most common conditions diagnosed include:
  • Laryngeal hemiplegia
 (paralysis of one side of the voice box)
  • Dorsal displacement of the soft palate
  • Airway inflammation or infections
  • Gastric ulcers
  • Nasal tumors, polyps, or hematomas
  • Choke (feed impaction in the esophagus)
  • Collapsed trachea or partial obstructions
  • Foreign bodies, such as hay, twigs, or debris
These kinds of issues can cause poor performance, breathing trouble, or chronic discomfort, but without a scope, they often remain hidden for weeks or even months.
Key Benefits of Using an Equine Endoscope
Here’s a simple breakdown of why this tool has become such a staple in veterinary care:
Benefit
Why It Matters
Non-invasive
No cutting or surgery - the scope slides in gently.
Real-time imaging
Vets see exactly what’s happening, not just guesses or shadows.
Early diagnosis
Issues are caught before they become serious or permanent.
Biopsy capability
Tissue samples can be taken during the exam, speeding up diagnosis.
Foreign object removal
Scope can remove debris without surgery.
Quick recovery
Most horses bounce back within minutes or hours.
What Horse Owners Should Watch For
Sometimes, symptoms can sneak up gradually, and it’s easy to chalk them up to fatigue, age, or even the weather.
But when certain signs keep coming back - or start to affect your horse’s daily routine - it might be time to consider an endoscopic exam.
🫁Breathing That Sounds Off During Work
If your horse starts breathing loudly, wheezing, or making strange noises under the saddle, don’t ignore it.
This could point to an issue with the throat or airways that only becomes obvious during exercise.
🏇Sudden Drop in Performance
When a normally energetic horse suddenly becomes sluggish or struggles to finish a familiar course, something internal could be holding them back.
Endoscopy can help uncover structural or functional problems affecting stamina or oxygen intake.
🤧Persistent Coughing or Nasal Discharge
A bit of snorting or the occasional cough can be normal, but if it becomes a daily thing, especially with thick or smelly discharge, it’s worth a closer look.
Chronic irritation or infections can linger in the upper airways without obvious swelling on the outside.
🥴Frequent Choke Episodes or Trouble Swallowing
If your horse seems to gag on feed, cough up food, or show signs of choke more than once, this could mean something is narrowing or irritating the esophagus.
An endoscope allows the vet to examine the problem area safely and in real time.
A Quick Look at Dynamic Endoscopy
0
Alt text: Horse owner bonding with his horse after a successful endoscope equine diagnostic session
One particularly valuable form of equine endoscopy is called dynamic or overground endoscopy.
Instead of examining the horse at rest, the vet uses a special portable scope that stays in place while the horse is being ridden or exercised.
This method is especially useful for diagnosing airway collapse, soft palate issues, or abnormal throat movement that only happens under physical stress.
It’s commonly used in racehorses, jumpers, and eventers, but can be helpful for any working horse that’s underperforming without a clear explanation.
A study involving  195 Thoroughbred racehorses found that 34% of them showed issues during dynamic respiratory endoscopy, including conditions like dorsal displacement of the soft palate and cartilage asymmetry.
That means roughly 1 in 3 horses had airway problems that only appeared during exercise, not at rest.
This highlights how common (and valuable) the procedure is for discovering exercise-related airway issues that aren’t seen during rest.
If your horse struggles during work but seems fine at rest, ask your vet if dynamic endoscopy could uncover what’s really going on, it’s one of the best ways to get answers others might miss.
Final Thoughts
Horses are incredibly expressive animals, but sometimes, their symptoms need a little help to be fully understood.
An equine endoscope gives vets a clear, detailed view of the internal structures that matter most, allowing for faster diagnosis, targeted treatment, and a much smoother recovery process.
Want to understand more about how tools like the endoscope equine are shaping modern horse care?
Stay curious, talk openly with your vet, and explore more guides like this on  Reescope, because informed owners make confident decisions.
❓Frequently Asked Questions❓
What is the purpose of an endoscope?
An endoscope helps vets see inside areas that can’t be viewed externally, like the throat or stomach. It’s used to spot issues early and make more accurate diagnoses without surgery.
What is the most common use of endoscopy in equines?
In horses, it’s most often used to check the airways and throat when there’s breathing trouble or poor performance. It’s also widely used to detect gastric ulcers.
How does an endoscope work in veterinary?
It uses a tiny camera and light at the end of a flexible tube to send real-time images to a screen. This lets vets explore internal structures with precision and very little discomfort to the animal.
How do they do an endoscopy on a horse?
The vet gently inserts the scope through the nose or mouth, usually with light sedation to keep the horse calm. The whole process is quick and done while the horse is standing.
Contact
Leave your information and we will contact you.

Products

ENT Endoscope

Multi functional Endoscope

Semi flexible Endoscope

Rigid Endoscope

USB flexible Endoscope

Other accessories

Contact us

E-mail: sales@reescope.com

Tel: (+86) 153 4786 8693

Add:  203, Building 8, Innovation Industrial Park, Qixing District, Guilin City, Guangxi Province, China,541004

WhatsApp