causes of horse voice

Right, let’s clear this up before someone calls the RSPCA: no, your cob hasn’t suddenly started doing *The Archers* impressions. When we talk about causes of horse voice, we’re not referring to singing sea shanties in a Northumbrian accent (though wouldn’t that be lovely?). We mean the *natural vocalisations*—neighs, whinnies, snorts, nickers—and, critically, when those sounds go *off-key*: raspy, weak, silent, or downright strangled. Think of it like Adele losing her top register after three pints and a rogue peanut—except the horse didn’t ask for the pint, and the peanut’s probably lodged *somewhere sinister*. The larynx (voice box) and pharynx aren’t just for show—they’re airflow gatekeepers, alarm systems, and social signalers. So when a horse’s ‘voice’ changes? That’s never *just* noise. It’s a whisper—or a scream—about health.

A horse doesn’t “talk” with lips or tongue like we do. Their causes of horse voice all trace back to the upper airway—specifically:

• Larynx: houses the vocal folds (yes, they *do* vibrate—just quietly)
• Epiglottis & Arytenoids: flap-and-hinge system directing air vs. food
• Pharynx & Guttural Pouches: resonance chambers *and* infection hotspots

Ah, the infamous “roarer”. Officially left recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, but we call it *roaring* because the horse sounds like a distant steam engine wheezing uphill. It’s caused by degeneration of the nerve that lifts the left arytenoid cartilage. Result? That cartilage flops into the airway on inhalation—creating turbulence, noise, and *massive* performance loss. You’ll hear it most at canter or gallop: a harsh, inspiratory *rooooor* (hence the name). Crucially, roaring *alters* the horse’s natural vocalisations—whinnies become breathy, nickers fade. It’s one of the most common surgical candidates in sport horses (tie-back surgery runs £3,500–£6,000). But here’s the kicker: mild cases may show *no* noise at rest—only voice changes. So if your usually chatty mare’s gone quiet? Don’t shrug. Listen.

Tucked behind the jaw, the guttural pouches are air-filled sacs unique to equids—like internal echo chambers. But they’re also warm, moist, and *perfect* for bacteria (hello, *Streptococcus equi*—aka strangles). When infected (empyema), pus builds up, pressing on cranial nerves—including the *recurrent laryngeal* and *hypoglossal*. Nerve damage = laryngeal paralysis, tongue weakness, and—yes—a hoarse, diminished, or *absent* whinny. You might also spot:

• Nasal discharge (thick, yellow, *stinky*)
• Dysphagia (dropping feed, coughing when eating)
• Asymmetrical poll swelling

Yes, horses get laryngitis. Not from belting out *Bohemian Rhapsody*, mind—but from:

• Viral respiratory infections (equine influenza, EHV-1)
• Inhaled irritants (dusty hay, ammonia fumes, pollen)
• Excessive vocalisation (stallions at stud, anxious horses in new yards)

Rare, but *nasty*. Tumours (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma), cysts, or granulomas can physically obstruct or distort the vocal folds. Even small growths—5mm!—can muffle sound. Then there’s bilateral laryngeal paralysis (both sides down), often from trauma or neurological disease (EPM, rabies—*urgent*). These horses may:

• Whinny silently, jaw flapping but no sound
• Make a faint, high-pitched squeak
• Panic on exertion (can’t move air)

The vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves run *from brainstem to larynx*—a 2-metre detour past the heart (left side) and base of the skull. Any pinch, inflammation, or demyelination disrupts signal. Causes?

• Guttural pouch mycosis (fungal erosion of nerves)
• Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)
• Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (Wobbler’s)
• Botulism (flaccid paralysis—voice *and* tongue gone)

Not every raspy snort is doom—but some are urgent. Watch for these red flags in causes of horse voice:

And no—“He’s just grumpy” isn’t a diagnosis. Horses are stoic, yes—but evolution didn’t give them vocal cords for *decor*. If the voice changes, *something* changed first.

❌ Myth: “If he can neigh, his airway’s fine.” ✅ Truth: Mild laryngeal paresis may only affect *high-intensity* airflow. He’ll whinny softly but gasp at canter.
❌ Myth: “Silent horses are just calm.” ✅ Truth: Aphonia = red flag. Even stoic cobs nicker for feed. Total silence? Investigate.
❌ Myth: “Voice changes are age-related.” ✅ Truth: Age *increases risk* (nerve degeneration), but it’s *not* inevitable. A healthy 20-year-old should still greet you like you’ve brought polo mints.
The best tool? Your ears *and* a phone recording. Compare last month’s whinny to now. Subtlety lies in the shift—and causes of horse voice love to hide in plain sound.

While waiting for the vet, avoid:

• Strenuous exercise (could trigger collapse)
• Dusty bedding or hay (inflames further)
• Sweet feeds or molasses (increases mucus)

• Offer soaked hay or haylage
• Steam inhalation (bucket of hot water + towel tent—*supervise!*)
• Record vocalisations + breathing at rest/walk

References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557835/
• https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/laryngeal-diseases/laryngeal-hemiplegia-in-horses
• https://www.rvc.ac.uk/review/guttural-pouch-disease-horses
• https://www.aavs.org/horse-care/health/hoarseness-in-horses-what-it-means