This past weekend at the 36th Running of the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, Flair LLC celebrated the 20th Anniversary of FLAIR Strips debut.
A Flair Nasal strip for horses
For years, Drs. Jim Chiapetta and Ed Blach witnessed that working horses experienced a collapse of their nasal passages when breathing in during exercise..
© 2019 by Flair Nasal Strips New window.
Launched at the 1999 Breeders’ Cup in Gulfstream Park, 3 of the 8 Breeders’ Cup race winners wore FLAIR Strips that day: CASH RUN winning the Juvenile Fillies, ANEES winning the Juvenile, and Classic winner CAT THIEF.
Drs. Jim Chiapetta and Ed Blach began developing FLAIR Strips in the mid 1990’s, as a result of their experiences as equine veterinarians. For years, the duo witnessed that working horses experienced a collapse of their nasal passages when breathing in during exercise.
A basic understanding of airflow dynamics helped them appreciate that partial collapse or narrowing of the nasal passages which occurs during exercise increases resistance to airflow into the lungs when oxygen is needed most. They wondered if it was possible to improve airflow in the horse by applying an external nasal passage support similar to the BreatheRight® strip used by human athletes.
A review of the equine research literature revealed a void in knowledge regarding the role of the nasal passages in horses’ breathing and respiratory health. This caused them to begin designing and testing equine nasal strips until they had a product that improved airflow, was safe to use and easy to apply.
Now, 20 years later, we at Flair are pleased that Jim and Ed’s initial “what if” questions have provoked significant University and private clinical research. More than seven clinical studies, several physiology and veterinary textbook articles, numerous symposia, presentations, discussions and debates confirm their original hypothesis.
The Strips are proven to make breathing easier, reduce fatigue, conserve energy, quicken recovery and decrease lung bleeding. In addition, further ongoing studies have identified the role the nasal passages play in other upper airway conditions not previously understood.
Since their introduction at the 1999 Breeder’s Cup races and the 2000 Olympics, FLAIR Strips have been regularly used for training and competition by world class professional horsemen as well as amateur owners around the world.
About Breeders’ Cup: In 1982 a group of prominent thoroughbred breeders from central Kentucky, led by the visionary John Gaines, hatched a plan. Their idea was to create a year-end, culminating championship for their sport. An event where horses from across the world could meet to settle the age old question, who is the best. An event that celebrated the best of horse racing. Put it on a national platform and helped to build the market for racing and breeding. Their vision - The Breeders' Cup. Visit https://www.breederscup.com/ for more information.
About Flair, LLC: Flair LLC is dedicated to evidence-based products for health, welfare, and performance of horses. Based in Minnesota, Flair LLC is the maker of FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips. Developed by veterinarians, FLAIR Strips are drug-free, self-adhesive nasal strips that support horses’ nasal passages and promote optimum respiratory health of equine athletes at every level of competition.
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips are clinically proven to: make breathing easier, reduce fatigue, conserve energy, quicken recovery, and reduce lung bleeding. More than eight clinical studies have been conducted on FLAIR Strips at leading equine research centers. The Strips are clinically proven to: make breathing easier, reduce fatigue, conserve energy, quicken recovery, and reduce lung bleeding. For more information about FLAIR Strips, please visit http://www.flairstrips.com.
Press release provided by Hanna Hartman - hanna@flairstrips.com