Laura Fitzharris

Laura Fitzharris completed her residency and PhD at the University of Bristol, funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). Her research focused on the equine respiratory muscles in Thoroughbred racehorses, investigating their adaptation to training and developing the application of inspiratory muscle training. Laura is a certified member of ISELP and enjoys both orthopaedic and cardiorespiratory cases, with a particular interest in investigating poor performance. After working in private sports horse practice in the UK, she took a career break to pursue her own athletic ambitions, playing water polo in Spain. Laura is currently based in Australia, where she combines routine racehorse practice with referral sports medicine work, expert data analysis, and ongoing research – and still enjoys playing water polo in the sunshine.

How can we prevent respiratory problems in horses?
Dr Laura Fitzharris

The respiratory system is one of the main limiting factors in athletic performance and a key contributor to lost training days in equine athletes. Like the cardiac and musculoskeletal systems, the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm, respond to exercise training by increasing in both size and strength.
Conventional training practices need to balance the effect on all three systems. Preliminary studies have shown that inspiratory muscle training (IMT), applied at rest, further increases the size, strength, and function of respiratory muscles in Thoroughbred racehorses. In human athletes, IMT has been shown to delay the onset of respiratory muscle fatigue and the associated metaboreflex, improve upper airway function, and enhancing athletic performance.
Environmental management remains a cornerstone of respiratory disease prevention. Reducing dust exposure from bedding, feed, and stabling, ensuring adequate ventilation, and minimising transport-related risk are essential. Vaccination, biosecurity protocols, and effective yard management help limit the spread of infectious disease.
Veterinary monitoring allows early identification and intervention. Upper and lower airway assessment, including endoscopy, tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage, is essential. In cases of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage, therapeutic strategies such as furosemide may prevent disease progression.
Wearable technology is emerging as a valuable tool for detecting subclinical changes in cardiorespiratory performance. Real-time data on heart rate and recovery profiles may provide early indications of developing respiratory issues. Preventing respiratory disease requires an integrated approach. Training methods, environmental control, veterinary monitoring, and technology all play complementary roles in preserving respiratory health and optimising performance in equine athletes.