The athletic horse: respiratory system

21 September 2021
Logo

In the past two articles, we have looked at the extraordinary size and function of the horse’s cardiovascular system.

It is one of the most efficient oxygen delivery systems in the animal world and is the prime reason why horses are such gifted athletes.

But a delivery system is only as good as the supply chain. It is the respiratory system that supplies oxygen to the muscles to produce the energy that allows the muscles to move the body.

In this article we will explore the horse's respiratory system and learn why it is the limiting factor in even the highest performing horse athlete.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY IN 'INTEGRITY MATTERS' AT THETROTS.COM.AU

 

Related News

11 November 2026
Leap To Fame to back up Friday for rematch with Captains Mistress
THE biggest rematch in racing is set for Friday in Christchurch. Round three between two of the world’s best pacers, Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress, will come in the Group 1 NZ Pacing free-for-all. Anticipation is off the charts with the scoreline at 1-1. Leap To Fame fans were left craving...
10 November 2026
Leap To Fame cements greatness with epic NZ Cup win
THE greatest of all time delivered his biggest knockout blow. Leap To Fame’s trainer-driver Grant Dixon labelled today’s powerhouse NZ Cup win as the best of his phenomenal career. And it came as a rising eight-year-old at his 97th start, trying conditions and after doing all the work against...
10 November 2026
Gus overcomes scare to go back-to-back in NZ
SUPERSTAR Aussie trotter Gus humbled the Kiwis again in the wet at Addington. Just as he did last year, the Chantal Turpin-trained gelding was simply a league above his rivals New Zealand’s iconic $NZ500,000 Group 1 Dominion Trot. This time it came after a scare when Gus stepped away safely from...
9 November 2026
Golden Apple on the radar for Waves Of Chance
Trainer Juanita McKenzie has her sights set on the upcoming Tassie Golden Apple with Waves Of Chance ($3.40) following his all-the-way win in the Typeface Pace (2090m) at Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Sunday afternoon. Driven by Mark Yole, the five-year-old gelded son of Downbytheseaside produced...
Click for more