Nasal Strips for Horses© Greg Melikov
Nov 30, 1999
Nasal strips for horses have been in the spotlight because of the Breeders' Cup. Three of the eight winners wore them.
Two winners saddled by trainer D. Wayne Lucas wore them. In fact, Pat Day and Cat Thief, the surprising Classic champions, wore them.
They were developed by the Minnesota-based CNS Inc., which sold about a billion Breathe Rite nasal strips to humans. NFL players like them because they increase air flow. Other athletes also use them.
The 4-by-6-inch adhesive strip placed across the nostrils of a horse helps the animal to breathe easier. Unlike humans, horses only breathe through their noses, so if their nasal passages are clogged, they aren't going to feel like running very fast.
I know the feeling. I've had a bad cold this fall and these old nostrils have been getting clogged daily. The nasal spray helps, but I may have to look for those strips, too.
The patch sticks just above a thoroughbred's nose. Getting it off isn't painful. Lucas says he uses drops of lotion to remove it -- or it comes off when the horse is washed.
Florida, Kentucky and Oklahoma allow the patches. Several states have reserved judgment and ordered further studies.
Some critics say the strips should be listed as an equipment change such as blinkers. That's a good suggestion, but maybe the shadow roll should also be listed in track programs or past performances. That's a sheepskin roll secured over the bridge of a horse's nose to keep the animal from seeing
shadows on the track and shying away from them or jumping them.
The type of shoes horses wear aren't printed either, but some tracks let you know who's wearing what on in-house television sets.
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