Poor performance due to epiglottic retroversion in a Standardbred trotter

A 3‐year‐old Standardbred trotting gelding presented to the Atlantic Veterinary College for diagnostic work‐up of poor performance and abnormal respiratory noise during exercise. Physical examination was unremarkable, and no significant findings were identified on standing endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract. Treadmill endoscopy was utilised for dynamic evaluation of the upper respiratory tract; a diagnosis of epiglottic retroversion was confirmed. The owner requested euthanasia of the gelding, and a post‐mortem evaluation was completed. Despite thorough gross and histological examination of the head and neck on post‐mortem examination, no evidence was identified to support the postulated aetiologies for epiglottic retroversion currently found in the literature. This case represents the first reported findings from a post‐mortem examination of a horse with epiglottic retroversion.