Respiratory Health in Competition Horses - Key Points

Recently released is the USEF Learning Center video, Respiratory Health in Competition Horses, featuring veterinarian and FEI dressage rider Wren Burnley, DVM.

Here's the social media & website links, followed by key points we hope will make it easy to share this educational video with your followers via stories or posts.

• Promo on Facebook
• Promo on Instagram
• USEF Learning Center full video

Key Points

• Over 80% of competition horses are affected by Inflammatory Airway Disease
• "IAD is amazingly asymptomatic. Whenever we scope a horse, we often have owners think their horse doesn't have IAD at all. Yet, we often find signs of it."
• Horses have a 1-1 ratio of stride to breath at the canter or gallop. "Whenever we affect their breathing, we affect their stride."
• Subtle signs of IAD include: Cough - especially when warming up. "It's often thought the horse is coughing to clear its airway, but that's not normal for a horse." Slower respiratory recovery rate after exertion. Clear or colored nasal discharge "Your horse is not exactly right, and you just can't pinpoint why."
• "Simple changes in how we keep our barn can make a big effect on our horses and can prevent many cases of IAD."
• Preventative measures: Be aware of what's in your horse's breathing zone. Feed hay that's free of dust and breathable irritants. Minimize dust in stall, barn aisles, arena & turn-out.