VET notes
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
● What can go wrong in the lower respiratory tract
● The warning signs
● How disease can be treated
HORSE OWNERS, RIDERS, trainers and vets should all have an understanding of the horse's respiratory system. A well-functioning respiratory system is essential for an equine's overall health, performance and wellbeing. Horses are adapted to hide respiratory issues as not doing so would make them vulnerable to predators in the wild. This, however, means that it is vital to remain diligent in detecting a weakness before it progresses to something more serious with long-term effects. Horses have no option but to breathe through their nose — they are obligate nasal breathers — and they should never breathe through their mouths, meaning that sometimes signs of respiratory stress can be subtle.
The primary function of the horse's respiratory system is the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide that takes place between themillions of tiny air sacs called alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries that envelop them. This allows the horse to obtain oxygen for energy production and removes carbon dioxide, a waste product. In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system helps to regulate the horse's
