Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Respiratory EIPH Welfare

Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage causes bleeding into the lungs of racehorses during intense exercise, affecting welfare and performance.

Key Facts

EIPH affects 50-80% of racehorses and nearly all at elite level
Most bleeding is subclinical, detected only by endoscopy post-race
Severe EIPH causes epistaxis (bleeding from nostrils) visible at the finish
Furosemide (Lasix) reduces EIPH severity and is regulated differently by different racing jurisdictions
Rest and training modifications help manage EIPH in affected horses

Welfare Considerations

EIPH causes disruption to respiratory function during intense effort and potentially chronic inflammation from repeated bleeding episodes. The welfare implications of racing horses prone to pulmonary hemorrhage require honest assessment within racing welfare frameworks.

What You Can Do

Support transparency in EIPH monitoring data in racing jurisdictions
Advocate for research into EIPH welfare impacts and management approaches
Learn about the welfare debate around medication use in racing horses