✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated April 2026
® Equine Nasal - Image 2 on InfoHorse.com
Abasic 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.
Flair® Equine NasalStrips by Achieve Equine Flair® Equine NasalStrips by Achieve Equine help enhance your horse's breathing ability during performance!
How It All Started...
Jim Chiapetta and Ed Blach began developing Flair® Equine Nasal 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, over 20 years later, we 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.
About Achieve Equine, formerly Flair, LLC
In December 2020 we changed our name from Flair, LLC to Achieve Equine, LLC. This came as a result of a desire to have a greater impact on serving the needs of both horses and their riders. Our continuing goal is to deliver innovative, safe, and effective equine products for the welfare of the horse like Flair Equine Nasal Strips, to fulfill those needs. That same month, we launched distribution of VIP Equestrian’s products in North America. In 2022, Achieve Equine launched distribution of Iconic Equestrian’s products to the North American market.
At Achieve Equine, we believe in developing impactful and long-lasting relationships. We deliver innovative, functional, high performing products to support the health and safety of horse and rider. Achieve Equine is located near Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the pastures are green and innovation is intentional. Our passion is horses. Our culture is built on relationships, data and a “get it done” attitude. Our team is kind, dependable, and knowledgeable.
What Are Flair® Equine Nasal Strips?
A Flair® strip is a self-adhesive, drug-free, support that promotes optimum respiratory health of equine athletes. Flair strips support the nasal passages of the horse during exercise, improving the horse’s airflow when it needs oxygen most. By reducing airway resistance resulting from physical exertion, the Flair Strips help promote peak performance and prevents injury to the lungs. Developed by veterinarians, Flair Equine Nasal Strips reduce the effort needed to move air in and out of the lungs, resulting in less stress on the lungs during exercise and a faster recovery after exercise. The Strips promote optimum respiratory health of equine athletes, in all disciplines and every level of competition. Horses at lower levels of competition often work as hard as those at higher levels.
How Do Flair® Strips Work?
The Flair® Equine Nasal Strip fits 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) above the opening of the nostrils. Flair Strips are constructed of FDA-approved medical-grade components including a non-irritating adhesive. Each strip is composed of three plastic springs that provide a precise level of force to help hold open the horse’s nasal passages.
Why Should My Horse Use Flair® Strips?
Unlike humans, horses cannot breathe through their mouths. As a result, all horses experience some level of nasal tissue collapse during physical exercise. This partial “collapse” reduces the size of the airway, forcing the horse to work harder to breathe. Clinical studies, conducted in both private and university settings, found that Flair® Strips mechanically stabilize the size of the nasal passage opening, allowing oxygen to flow freely. Flair Strips support nasal passages and maintain the airway during training or strenuous workouts.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Flair® Strips?
Studies have shown that Flair Strips reduce lung stress and the incidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), or bleeding in the lungs. Most competitive horses experience some degree of EIPH, though the bleeding may not be visible. Continued episodes of EIPH can lead to permanent lung damage, scarring, and inflammation, increasing a horse’s vulnerability to secondary infections and illness. Flair Strips significantly reduce EIPH during heavy exercise.
How Will Flair® Strips Impact My Horse's Performance?
Healthy horses perform better. If your horse bleeds as most do when working hard, the irritating effect of blood in the airways will be reduced by Flair Strips and your horse’s lungs will stay healthier. In addition, Flair® Strips reduce the energy required to take in oxygen. By reducing the amount of energy a horse spends just to get enough oxygen, Flair® Strips enable horses to expend more energy on the task at hand. Flair® Strips can also increase a horse’s stamina, allowing him to perform at full strength for longer periods of time, without becoming fatigued. Horses wearing Flair® Strips use five to eight percent less energy at high speed and during recovery. Riders and trainers notice their horses are more relaxed, look fresher and catch their breath faster when wearing a Flair® Strip.
How Will My Horse Respond To Flair® Strips?
Most trainers and competitors will notice a difference in either the “feel” or “sound” of their horse when they use Flair® Strips. The most common statements shared are “my horse had more air,” “he cooled down faster,” or “she just seemed calmer.” Still others state horses wearing Flair Strips are “quieter” or “less stressed.” As always, please consult your veterinarian to ensure optimal care of your horse. Ask your veterinarian to tell you about the significant science behind Flair® Strips. If your veterinarian is unaware of the science, have them look at the scientific abstracts on our website or contact us for full copies of the studies.
Multiple Colors and Priced Only $10.50 to 11.50 Each!
If you could enhance your horse’s performance, comfort and ability to take in oxygen during a performance and it only cost you $10.50 to $11.50 to do it… well, who wouldn’t do it?These Flair strips help keep nasal passages open during their use and the ability to take in air more easily, can only enhance the comfort— and focus — of your horse. Few things ruin a performance faster than discomfort or physical distraction— and if you can eliminate difficulty with air-intake— you have just helped to increase both the performance, and Focus of your horse! Priced at only $10.50- $11.50 each you’ll love our shopping selection.
What Do Equine Professionals Say About Flair® Strips?
The respiratory system is a limiting factor in performance of horses. The fact that all horses break some blood vessels in the lung (i.e. bleed or experience exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage) during hard exercise shows that this is a system on the edge. Therefore anything that you can do as an owner, rider or trainer to reduce this stress must be beneficial. My view is that the Flair® Nasal Strip is a safe, simple and effective way to support the horse’s respiratory system during training and competition.Dr. David Marlin BSc, PhD, President of the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology
Flair is definitely a product that increases the airflow to a horse’s lungs when they are gasping toward the end of a cross country course. It’s a wonderful product that only can improve your horse’s chance of a successful round.Boyd Martin | Boyd Martin Eventing |Highest Placed US Eventing Team Equestrian Games
When I use Flair nasal strips my horse comes out of the arena not breathing near as hard. She also breathes with deeper smoother breaths. She is a bleeder and I take every precaution I can to keep her from bleeding again. I will not ever run her again without them. She actually likes getting it put on her. Diane Fryer, Barrel Racing Competitor
Order Flair® Equine Nasap Strips For Your Horse Today!
You can Order Flair Strips at ValleyVet, SmartPakEquine, Chewy, Amazon or our website, or other fine retailers today! Make sure your horse has every chance for a top performance with Flair Strips! For more information about Flair Strips and to find a retailer near you, please call us today!
Flair Equine Nasal Strip single self-adhesive strip product photo
What exactly is a Flair® Equine Nasal Strip?
Flair® Equine Nasal Strips are self-adhesive, drug-free strips applied across the bridge of a horse's nose, roughly 1.5 inches above the nostrils, to support the soft tissues over the nasal passages during exercise. Each strip is a single-use product built from FDA-approved medical-grade components, including spring-like supports that hold the nasal valve open. Developed and recommended by veterinarians, more than four million Flair Strips have been used worldwide across every level of competition.
Flair Equine Nasal Strip black self-adhesive nasal strip close-up
Who makes Flair Strips and stands behind the science?
Flair Strips are made by Achieve Equine, LLC, the company behind the Flair® and Flair™ Gear brands. The product is backed by nine peer-reviewed studies conducted at Kansas State University, Michigan State University, Kentucky Equine Research, the University of Illinois, and UC Davis. You can reach the company directly at with questions about application, competition rules, or bulk orders.
Flair Strips prep pack with nasal strips for horses
How the spring-like supports keep a horse's airway open
Horses are obligate nasal breathers, and the nasal valve is the narrowest part of the upper airway. When a horse breathes hard during exercise, the soft tissues overlying the nasal passages collapse inward, increasing resistance exactly when oxygen demand is highest, with 50 to 80 percent of pulmonary resistance originating in the nares and nasal passages. Flair Strips deliver a gentle spring-like force that stabilizes those soft tissues and dilates the nasal valve, so the airway stays open and breathing takes less effort.
Flair Equine Nasal Strips retail package bag
What the clinical research measured
Independent studies recorded a 16% reduction in airway resistance, a 55% reduction in EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage), a 19% reduction in peak inspiratory pressure, and a 15% reduction in the interval to the next performance. Researchers also found that respiratory muscles use 5 to 6% less oxygen and energy to move the same volume of air with the strip in place. In short, Flair Strips do not help a horse breathe in more air; they help the horse take in the same air with less work, conserving energy and protecting the fragile pulmonary blood vessels in the lungs.
Why barrel racers and every discipline reach for them
Flair Strips serve barrel horses, eventers, jumpers, polo ponies, racehorses, endurance horses, and trail horses, and they help horses managing Copd, allergies, laryngeal hemiplegia, and lower airway disease. Barrel champion Sharon Camarillo calls them "an invaluable tool for improving performance," and the strips also ease breathing for horses on long hauls and during recovery. They adhere through sweat, rain, dust, and high-intensity work, staying put until the horse is fully cooled out.
Buying Flair Strips and confirming they are competition-legal
Because Flair Strips are drug-free, they are permitted by the FEI, US Equestrian, NRHA, Usea, Uset, USPA, NBHA, and AQHA, and they are approved for flat and harness racing in all states and provinces in North America. Riders should always verify with their specific event organizer before competing. Order directly through flairstrips.com or call to ask about packs and shipping.
What are Flair® Equine Nasal Strips, and what do they do?
Flair® Equine Nasal Strips by Achieve Equine are an external nasal-passage support designed to help enhance a horse's breathing ability during performance. They counter the partial collapse or narrowing of the nasal passages that working horses experience during exercise — when oxygen demand is highest.
Who developed Flair® strips, and how did the idea come about?
Flair® was developed by Jim Chiapetta and Ed Blach in the mid-1990s. As equine veterinarians, they observed nasal-passage collapse in working horses for years. They wondered if applying an external support — similar to the BreatheRight® strip used by human athletes — could improve airflow in horses.
Is there research backing Flair® Equine Nasal Strips?
Yes — over 20 years of clinical research, including more than seven clinical studies, several physiology and veterinary textbook articles, plus symposia, presentations, and discussions at universities and private clinical settings. The original "what if" hypothesis has been confirmed by university and private clinical research.
Did Flair's inventors find existing research before they started?
No — when the inventors reviewed the equine research literature, they discovered a void in knowledge regarding the role of nasal passages in horses' breathing and respiratory health. That gap is what drove them to design and test their own nasal strips.
Do Flair® strips work for racing horses, or all working horses?
Flair® is positioned for working horses generally — any horse experiencing exercise-induced reduction in nasal airflow. The barrel-racing category placement reflects performance-event use, but the underlying respiratory benefit applies across disciplines.
What are FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips?
FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are self-adhesive, drug-free strips applied across the bridge of a horse's nose to support the soft tissues over the nasal passages during exercise. They contain spring-like supports that hold the nasal valve open so air flows with less resistance. Developed and recommended by veterinarians, they are used by athletes in every equine discipline.
Who makes FLAIR Strips?
FLAIR Strips are manufactured by Achieve Equine, LLC, which also produces the FLAIR™ Gear line. The company can be reached at 1-888-683-5247. FLAIR is the original equine nasal strip, with more than four million strips used worldwide.
How do FLAIR Strips actually work?
When a horse breathes hard during exercise, the soft tissues overlying the nasal passages collapse inward, narrowing the airway right when oxygen demand peaks. FLAIR Strips apply a gentle spring-like force that stabilizes those tissues and dilates the nasal valve, the narrowest part of the airway. This keeps the passage open so the horse breathes with less effort.
Do FLAIR Strips help a horse breathe in more air?
No. FLAIR Strips do not increase the total volume of air a horse takes in. Instead, they help the horse move the same amount of air with less work, so the respiratory muscles use 5 to 6 percent less oxygen and energy. That conserved energy is then available for performance and recovery.
Is there scientific research behind FLAIR Strips?
Yes. FLAIR Strips are backed by nine peer-reviewed studies conducted at Kansas State University, Michigan State University, Kentucky Equine Research, the University of Illinois, and UC Davis. Documented findings include a 16 percent reduction in airway resistance, a 19 percent reduction in peak inspiratory pressure, and a 5 to 6 percent reduction in energy used to breathe. Researchers confirmed the mechanism with endoscopic examination during exercise with the strip in place.
Can FLAIR Strips reduce EIPH or lung bleeding?
Studies recorded a 55 percent reduction in EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage) with FLAIR Strips. By reducing resistance to breathing, the strips put less stress on the fragile pulmonary blood vessels in the lungs, lowering the likelihood that those vessels rupture. They are widely used to help manage EIPH in performance horses.
Are FLAIR Strips good for barrel racing horses?
Yes. Barrel horses make explosive, high-intensity efforts where breathing efficiency and recovery matter, and FLAIR Strips are popular across the discipline. Barrel racing champion Sharon Camarillo describes them as an invaluable tool for improving performance. They are permitted by barrel-racing bodies such as the NBHA, though riders should always confirm with their specific event organizer.
Are FLAIR Strips legal in competition?
Because FLAIR Strips are drug-free, they are allowed by the FEI, US Equestrian, NRHA, USEA, USET, USPA, NBHA, and AQHA. They are also approved for flat and harness racing in all states and provinces in North America. Always verify with your specific event organizer before competing.
How long does a FLAIR Strip last and is it reusable?
FLAIR Strips are a one-time-use product. You leave the strip in place until the horse is completely cooled out and breathing has returned to normal, then remove it. A new strip is used for each exercise session.
How do I apply a FLAIR Strip correctly?
Apply the strip approximately 1.5 inches above the horse's nostrils, over the soft tissue of the nasal passages. First clean the nose with a clean, dry cloth, vet wrap, or paper towel to remove dirt and oil so the adhesive sticks. For best results, apply it about 30 minutes before exercise.
How do I remove a FLAIR Strip without irritating the horse?
Remove the strip by peeling gently but firmly from the top corner toward the middle. Do not pull the strip straight up or down. Following this method protects the horse's skin and hair.
Will a FLAIR Strip stay on through sweat, rain, and hard work?
Yes. The self-adhesive backing is designed to adhere through sweat, rain, dust, and high-intensity work. The strip is meant to stay in place through exercise and the cool-down period until the horse's breathing returns to normal.
Are FLAIR Strips drug-free and safe?
Yes. FLAIR Strips are completely drug-free and made from FDA-approved medical-grade components. Because they work mechanically rather than chemically, there is no withdrawal time and no banned-substance concern, which is why so many governing bodies permit them.
What disciplines and conditions are FLAIR Strips used for?
FLAIR Strips are used by barrel horses, eventers, jumpers, polo ponies, racehorses, endurance horses, and trail horses. Beyond performance, they also help horses managing COPD, allergies, laryngeal hemiplegia, and lower airway disease, and riders use them when long-hauling to keep horses more comfortable.
How are FLAIR Strips different from human BreatheRight strips?
FLAIR Strips were inspired by the same principle as human nasal strips but are engineered specifically for the equine airway. They use spring-like supports sized and shaped for a horse's nasal passages and nasal valve, and the supportive force is calibrated to counter the tissue collapse horses experience during intense exercise. They are a veterinary-developed product, not a scaled-up human strip.
Do FLAIR Strips help with recovery after exercise?
Yes. By reducing breathing resistance, FLAIR Strips help the horse move cooler external air into the lungs more efficiently, which hastens recovery. Studies recorded a 15 percent reduction in the interval to the next performance, meaning horses are ready to work again sooner.
Where can I buy FLAIR Strips?
FLAIR Strips can be ordered directly from the official site at flairstrips.com, or by calling Achieve Equine at 1-888-683-5247. They are also carried by tack and equine-supply retailers. Contact the company directly for questions about pack sizes, bulk orders, or shipping.
