Why Horses Can’t Breathe Through Their Mouths
Have you ever noticed that horses can’t simply take a breath through their mouths like people can? It all comes down to the unique design of their upper airway.
Horses are considered “obligate nasal breathers,” meaning that under normal conditions, air travels to and from their lungs only through their nostrils. It’s important to understand how horses breathe to identify any respiratory issues, and to know how they can best perform as athletes.
Key Takeaways
- Horses are obligate nasal breathers, meaning they breathe through their nostrils rather than their mouths.
- The soft palate and structures around the larynx separate the mouth from the normal breathing pathway.
- Horses cannot switch to mouth breathing during exercise the way people can.
- Significant nasal or upper airway obstruction can interfere with breathing and may require urgent veterinary care.
Why Can’t Horses Breathe Through Their Mouths?
A horse’s upper airway begins at the nostrils and continues through the nasal passages, which are separated by a cartilage structure called the nasal septum. From there, air moves into the nasopharynx and then through the larynx and tr...