Final answer:
Endotracheal intubation in horses is a medical procedure used to maintain an open airway when general anesthesia is administered, preventing the tongue from blocking the airway and ensuring that the lungs receive air.
Step-by-step explanation:
Endotracheal intubation is a critical medical procedure often utilized in veterinary medicine to maintain an open airway in horses during surgery or other instances where the horse's natural airway might be compromised due to general anesthesia. This procedure involves the insertion of a tube into the horse's trachea to bypass potential obstructions and facilitate artificial ventilation.
When muscles necessary for breathing and tongue movement are affected by anesthesia, there is a risk that the tongue could block the airway, thus endotracheal intubation provides a direct pathway for air to reach the lungs. Post-surgery, the removal of the tube occurs once the horse's respiratory muscles regain the ability to control breathing, although it may take time for full recovery of these functions.