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 Nasal Strips by Achieve Equine Flair ® Equine Nasal Strips 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...
What exactly is a FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strip?
The FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strip is a drug-free, self-adhesive band applied across the bridge of the horse's nose roughly 1.5 inches above the nostrils. Inside the strip sit three plastic supports that generate a precise, spring-like force, gently lifting and stabilizing the soft tissues over the nasal passages. The company's tagline says it plainly: "Performance Starts at the Nose." It is a single-use product, applied fresh for each ride or competition.
Who makes FLAIR® Strips?
FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are made and distributed by Achieve Equine, LLC (formerly Flair, LLC). The company has built its entire mission around equine respiratory health, grounding every claim in published clinical research rather than marketing alone. You can reach the team at or, and the full catalog ships from flairstrips.com.
Horses are obligate nasal breathers, moving roughly two five-gallon buckets of air into and out of the lungs every second at full exertion. The nasal valve is the narrowest part of the airway and the single biggest source of resistance, and 50 to 80 percent of total airway resistance originates in the nares and nasal passages. When a horse inhales hard, this soft tissue tends to collapse inward. FLAIR® Strips support and dilate that nasal valve area so it stays open, cutting resistance exactly when oxygen demand peaks.
Independent research on FLAIR® Strips documented measurable gains: a 16% reduction in airway resistance, a 19% reduction in peak inspiratory pressure, and respiratory muscles using 5-6% less energy to move the same volume of air. Studies also found a 55% reduction in EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or lung bleeding), with the strip shown to be as effective as Lasix in reducing lung bleeding during high-intensity work. Horses recovered faster between efforts, with a 15% reduction in the interval to the next performance.
Why barrel racers reach for FLAIR® Strips
Barrel racing demands explosive acceleration, tight agile turns, and stamina, all of which spike the horse's demand for airflow in seconds. By keeping the nasal passages open, FLAIR® Strips deliver easier breathing and a steadier oxygen supply to working muscles, while the energy saved on respiration can be redirected into speed and power. The strips stay adhered through sweat, rain, and high-intensity exertion, and they are drug-free and legal under FEI, US Equestrian, NRHA, Usea, AQHA, and North American racing jurisdictions. They are also used in eventing, show jumping, polo, thoroughbred and standardbred racing, endurance, steeplechase, and combined driving.
FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are an external nasal passage support that helps enhance a horse's breathing ability during performance. When a horse breathes in hard during exercise, the nasal passages can partially collapse or narrow, increasing resistance to airflow into the lungs right when oxygen is needed most. The strip supports that area to improve airflow.
Working horses experience a collapse of their nasal passages when breathing in during hard exercise. A basic understanding of airflow dynamics shows that this partial collapse or narrowing increases resistance to airflow into the lungs at the moment the horse needs oxygen most. FLAIR® Strips were designed to support the nasal passages and reduce that resistance.
FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips were developed by Jim Chiapetta and Ed Blach beginning in the mid-1990s, drawing on their experience as equine veterinarians. After years of seeing working horses' nasal passages collapse during exercise, they wondered if an external nasal passage support, similar to the BreatheRight® strip used by human athletes, could improve airflow in the horse.
Yes. Over more than 20 years the original hypothesis has been studied extensively, with more than seven clinical studies plus physiology and veterinary textbook articles, symposia, presentations and debates. Ongoing studies have also identified the role the nasal passages play in other upper airway conditions that were not previously well understood.
FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are proven to make breathing easier, reduce fatigue, conserve energy, quicken recovery and decrease lung bleeding. These benefits come from supporting the nasal passages so air moves into the lungs with less resistance during exertion.
Yes. The founders designed and tested equine nasal strips until they had a product that improved airflow, was safe to use and easy to apply. The strip is applied externally over the horse's nasal passages, so there is nothing invasive involved.
Yes. In December 2020 the company changed its name from FLAIR, LLC to Achieve Equine, LLC, reflecting a desire to have a greater impact in serving horses' needs. The FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strip remains the company's breathing product.
You can learn more and order directly at flairstrips.com, or call Achieve Equine at 763-972-9056 with questions about using the strips for your barrel horse or other performance horse. They're glad to help you choose and apply the right product for your horse's breathing needs.
FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are drug-free, self-adhesive bands applied across the bridge of a horse's nose to support the soft tissues of the nasal passages that collapse during exercise. They are made and distributed by Achieve Equine, LLC. Each strip contains three plastic supports that create a spring-like force to hold the nasal passages open and improve airflow.
FLAIR® Strips are made and distributed by Achieve Equine, LLC, formerly known as Flair, LLC. The company focuses specifically on equine respiratory health and backs its product with published clinical research. You can contact them at 1-888-683-5247 or [email protected].
Horses are obligate nasal breathers, and the nasal valve is the narrowest part of the airway, contributing 50 to 80 percent of total airway resistance. During hard inhalation this soft tissue collapses inward. The three plastic supports in a FLAIR® Strip produce a precise spring-like force that supports, stabilizes, and dilates the nasal valve area so the passages stay open and air flows more freely to the lungs.
Apply the strip approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) above the horse's nostrils, centered over the bridge of the nose. Before applying, use a clean, dry cloth, a piece of vet wrap, or a paper towel to remove dirt and oil from the nose so the adhesive sticks securely.
FLAIR® recommends applying the strip about 30 minutes before exercise. This gives the adhesive time to set and warm to the horse's skin so it stays firmly in place through the entire effort.
No. FLAIR® Strips are a one-time use product. You apply a fresh strip for each ride or competition and leave it in place until the horse is completely cooled out and breathing has returned to normal before removing it.
Remove the strip by peeling gently but firmly from the top corner toward the middle. Do not pull the strip straight up or down, as that can be uncomfortable for the horse and pull on the skin.
Yes. FLAIR® Strips are completely drug-free and are approved by major organizations including the FEI, US Equestrian, NRHA, USEA, AQHA, and racing jurisdictions across North America. Because they work mechanically rather than chemically, they can be used in most major competitions.
Clinical studies documented a 55% reduction in exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses wearing FLAIR® Strips. Research has shown the strip to be as effective as Lasix in reducing lung bleeding during high-intensity exercise, without any medication.
By reducing airway resistance, FLAIR® Strips allow a horse's respiratory muscles to use 5-6% less oxygen or energy to move the same volume of air. Studies also recorded a 16% reduction in airway resistance and a 19% reduction in peak inspiratory pressure, energy that can instead be directed toward speed and stamina.
Barrel racing demands explosive acceleration, agile turns, and stamina, all of which spike the horse's demand for airflow within seconds. FLAIR® Strips support the nasal passages so the horse breathes more easily and delivers a steady oxygen supply to its muscles, which helps maintain speed and power while conserving energy on respiration.
Yes. FLAIR® Strips are designed to remain adhered through sweat, rain, and high-intensity exertion. Proper application on a clean, dry nose 30 minutes before exercise helps ensure the strip stays in place for the entire run.
FLAIR® Strips are used across a wide range of disciplines, including eventing, show jumping, polo, thoroughbred racing, standardbred racing, endurance, steeplechase, combined driving, and quarter horse racing. Any sport that pushes a horse's respiratory demand high can benefit.
FLAIR® Classics start from $10.50 and FLAIR® Signature Designs start from $11.50. FLAIR® Customize, which lets you print your own artwork, is $15.50 for a single pack or $87.00 for a six-pack, which works out to $14.50 per strip.
Yes. In addition to FLAIR® Classics and FLAIR® Signature Designs, such as USA and Canada flag prints, the FLAIR® Customize line lets riders add their own artwork to the strip. Custom strips are sold as single packs at $15.50 or six-packs at $87.00.
FLAIR® Strips are sold directly through the official store at flairstrips.com, where all four product lines are available. For questions, you can call Achieve Equine, LLC at 1-888-683-5247 or email [email protected].
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