Supporting the Bleeder: A Two-Pronged Approach for Racehorses
For Thoroughbred and Standardbred trainers, managing a horse prone to bleeding can be one of the more frustrating challenges of preparing a racehorse.
Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH), commonly referred to as “bleeding”, occurs when tiny blood vessels within the lungs are damaged during strenuous exercise, allowing blood to enter the airways. Research indicates that EIPH occurs in the majority of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses when sensitive diagnostic methods are used.
And you don't necessarily have to see blood at the nostrils to have a bleeder.
For trainers looking to provide additional nutritional and respiratory support to horses prone to EIPH, Equine2000 recommends a two-pronged approach: XBL Ultra + Air Support.
XBL Ultra – Support From the Inside
Finish Line XBL Ultra is designed specifically for horses in heavy training, with nutrients selected to support healthy circulation, blood and capillary strength.
Why does this matter for a bleeder?
During maximal exercise, a racehorse's pulmonary system is subjected to extraordinary pressures. EIPH is believed to occur when very high pulmonary vascular pressures, combined with the mechanical forces generated during strenuous exercise, contribute to disruption of the delicate pulmonary capillaries.
XBL Ultra provides nutritional support aimed at this side of the equation.
Its formula includes:
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – an antioxidant nutrient important for collagen formation and normal blood-vessel structure.
Hesperidin & Lemon Bioflavonoids – plant flavonoids included to support vascular and capillary health.
Vitamin K – required for normal blood coagulation.
Folic Acid – important for normal red blood-cell formation.
Lecithin – supports normal cell-membrane structure.
XBL Ultra also contains Finish Line's proprietary Angiohealth Blend, containing fish by-products, lecithin, pleurisy root, mullein leaf, grapeseed extract, rutin and tart cherry.
For a racehorse prone to EIPH, the aim is straightforward: provide nutritional support for healthy blood vessels, capillaries, circulation and normal blood clotting while the horse is in heavy work.
Air Support – Supporting Clear Airways
The second part of the programme approaches the problem from a different direction.
Air Support is a herbal respiratory formula designed to support clear airways and normal respiratory function, particularly in performance horses exposed to dust, pollen, mucus, cold conditions and other environmental challenges.
For a galloper or harness horse working at maximum intensity, efficient airflow matters.
Air Support contains a combination of:
Mullein Leaf – traditionally used as a respiratory herb and expectorant.
Elecampane – traditionally used to support the respiratory tract and clearance of mucus.
Menthol Crystals – provide the characteristic cooling sensation associated with menthol and help create the sensation of clearer nasal airflow.
Peppermint – traditionally used for respiratory support while also improving palatability.
Ginger & Nettle – additional herbal components traditionally used in respiratory formulations.
Air Support can be particularly useful as part of the management programme for horses affected by mucus, dusty stable environments, pollen and other factors that may compromise normal respiratory comfort.
Why Use XBL Ultra and Air Support Together?
The two products have very different roles.
XBL Ultra → nutritional support for blood, circulation and capillary integrity
Air Support → herbal support for clear airways and normal respiratory function
For trainers managing a known or suspected bleeder, that makes them complementary rather than interchangeable.
XBL Ultra is designed as the daily nutritional foundation, while Air Support provides additional respiratory support around training, travelling and racing.
EIPH Isn't Just About Visible Bleeding
One of the most important things for trainers to understand is that visible blood from the nostrils — epistaxis — represents only a small proportion of EIPH cases.
A horse can experience pulmonary bleeding without ever showing blood externally. Diagnosis is generally made by examining the airways with an endoscope after strenuous exercise, or by detecting red blood cells deeper within the respiratory tract.
Research has also found that moderate-to-severe EIPH in Thoroughbred racehorses is associated with reduced athletic performance, making management relevant even when a horse isn't an obvious external bleeder.
Don't Forget the Horse's Environment
Supplements should form only one part of a respiratory-management programme.
For horses susceptible to EIPH or airway irritation, trainers should also pay close attention to stable ventilation, dust exposure, bedding, hay quality, respiratory infection, mucus and overall airway health.
If you suspect EIPH, veterinary assessment and post-exercise endoscopy remain important. Nutritional and herbal supplements should complement — rather than replace — appropriate veterinary investigation and management.
References
Hinchcliff KW, Couetil LL, Knight PK, et al. Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Horses: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Consensus Statement. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2015;29(3):743–758.
Merck Veterinary Manual. Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Horses.
Product information: Finish Line XBL Ultra and Air Support, Equine2000.