Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage affects the majority of racehorses and raises significant welfare questions about the demands of competitive racing.
Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage raises genuine welfare questions about the demands placed on racehorses. The high prevalence of EIPH - affecting the majority of racehorses - suggests it is an inherent consequence of the extreme cardiovascular demands of racing rather than an unusual or exceptional condition. The welfare impact depends on severity - mild EIPH may cause minimal discomfort, while severe episodes causing visible bleeding from the nostrils are likely associated with significant respiratory distress. The use of furosemide to reduce EIPH carries its own welfare implications as a diuretic with systemic effects. The welfare debate around horse racing extends beyond EIPH to include orthopedic injuries, breakdown mortality, and the overall demands of a sport that pushes horses to physiological extremes. These welfare concerns deserve honest engagement from the racing industry rather than dismissal.