March 19, 2009
The Equine Respiratory System
The horse’s respiratory system is large and complex, precisely suited to provide the right amount of oxygen for both ordinary and extreme conditions. It begins at the large nostrils that can expand to take in large amounts of air when the horse, a prey animal, has that “need for speed,” and lined with a sophisticated defense system to keep out dust and airborne pathogens like bacteria and fungal spores. The intake of air starts at the nostrils and moves through a long network of thin bones called turbinates.
