Respiratory Health in Competition Horses – Key Points

Sunday, June 7, 2020 | Mary Phelps

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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.

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.

Featured Community

  • Taylor Bradish is a leading figure in American combined driving, merging deep horsemanship with unwavering dedication. Hailing from Flagstaff, Arizona, and now based in Windsor, South Carolina, Taylor’s journey in the sport blends early passion with elite-level achievement, all rooted in her commitment to training and horse care.



  • Dr. Suzan Oakley an innovative leader and educator in advanced equine rehabilitation provides a healing refuge for equine athletes on the mend.

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