For years, equine veterinarians Jim Chiapetta, DVM, JD, and Ed Blach, DVM, MS, MBA, were intrigued by a common phenomenon in horses—the nostrils' tendency to collapse during heavy inspiration brought on by strenuous work or exercise. Aware that somehuman athletes were promoting the use of nasal strips to open airways and increase respiration, the duo developed nasal strips for working horses to similarly improve their performance. The goal was simple: open the airway to enhance airflow. "To accomplish this, the nasal strip is worn on the horse's face above the nostrils about an inch and a half" says Howard Erickson, DVM, PhD, emeritus professor of physiology at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "At that location, a portion of the k nasal passages isn't supported by bone." Three Mylar springs built into the strip help keep the nasal passages open (Photo 1, p. 2).
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