Do horses breath only by nostrils ?
4 posters
Going Gaited Online Magazine ASK THE EXPERT Forum :: Ask the Experts - Our professionals answer viewer questions :: Veterinarian Q & A
Page 1 of 1
Do horses breath only by nostrils ?
I think I read somewhere that horses DO NOT breath through there mouth and that was why it was important to have nice sized nostrils.
I ask because my husband and I have headstalls with built in cavesons,we don't have them very tight anyway, and don't even need them any longer but they are there so we use them.
My BIL was riding one of ours and didn't want to use it because he said "how would you like your mouth strapped shut were you could not breathe good."
I ask because my husband and I have headstalls with built in cavesons,we don't have them very tight anyway, and don't even need them any longer but they are there so we use them.
My BIL was riding one of ours and didn't want to use it because he said "how would you like your mouth strapped shut were you could not breathe good."
RaknRydr- Posts : 3
Join date : 2010-05-16
Location : NC
Re: Do horses breath only by nostrils ?
I read this and thought "what a crazy question", but then... I don't know the answer either, so not so crazy, huh? Would make sense that they only breathe through their nostrils because when they choke they can still breathe. I've never seen them pant either, so... interesting. Never thought about it before.
Got_gait- Posts : 38
Join date : 2010-03-06
Re: Do horses breath only by nostrils ?
Good question! Horses breathe primarily through their nostrils. You usually only see horses breathing through their mouth if they are disoriented or in severe pain. So, placing a caveson will not hurt them. Also, the pressure on the caveson will not affect the airway, as the nasal passage is composed of a cartilage/bone matrix called a meatus (they have three portions: ventral, middle, dorsal) that maintains an open airway most of the time. No problem riding with a caveson...it can be a great training aid.
FYI: When a horse "chokes," a bolus of food is stuck in the esophagus, so they can't swallow. Their airway is not affected other than they are at ain increased risk for aspiration of saliva/food in their airway, becasue of the inability to swallow. When a person chockes, an object is lodged in the airway. We an swallow, but not breathe...we are opposite in that way!!!
FYI: When a horse "chokes," a bolus of food is stuck in the esophagus, so they can't swallow. Their airway is not affected other than they are at ain increased risk for aspiration of saliva/food in their airway, becasue of the inability to swallow. When a person chockes, an object is lodged in the airway. We an swallow, but not breathe...we are opposite in that way!!!
Dr. Daniel Pike- Posts : 25
Join date : 2010-02-19
Location : Madison, GA
Re: Do horses breath only by nostrils ?
Thank you for your answer, that is exactly the scenario I thought of to come to my conclusion and I also knew that sometimes when I would squeeze my mare across the bridge of her nose for meds it would sound like you were cutting of her airway more so that way, but I won't agrue with a 67 yr old till I have some solid info to back me up, unlike him.
RaknRydr- Posts : 3
Join date : 2010-05-16
Location : NC
Re: Do horses breath only by nostrils ?
I'm like that too. Every time someone contradicts me, I automatically think I'm the one that's wrong. Then I think about it and go..."wait a minute...." )
Similar topics
» seasoned trails horses started kicking other horses
» Are there 'only gaited' horses?
» Grey horses and cancer
» my walker sometimes paces when he wants to keep up with other horses
» Is stumbling common with gaited horses?
» Are there 'only gaited' horses?
» Grey horses and cancer
» my walker sometimes paces when he wants to keep up with other horses
» Is stumbling common with gaited horses?
Going Gaited Online Magazine ASK THE EXPERT Forum :: Ask the Experts - Our professionals answer viewer questions :: Veterinarian Q & A
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|