Performance begins long before the start box: preparing horses for peak performance with Harry Meade

With the countdown to Defender Burghley Horse Trials underway, Britain's leading event riders are entering one of the most important phases of the season. Months of training are complete, fitness has been built, and attention turns to the fine details that can make all the difference when horses are asked to perform at the highest level.

From nutrition and recovery to travel planning and veterinary care, every element of management is carefully considered. Increasingly, respiratory health is becoming another key focus, as riders and vets recognise the impact healthy airways can have on performance, recovery, and overall horse wellbeing.

Every breath matters

Unlike humans, horses cannot mouth breathe to increase airflow during exercise. As obligate nasal breathers, even small reductions in airway function can affect oxygen delivery, stamina, and recovery during intense work.

The challenge is that respiratory issues aren't always obvious. Many horses continue to perform without coughing or nasal discharge, yet subtle airway inflammation or mucus build-up may still limit performance. Owners may simply notice a horse taking longer to recover, feeling less willing or not performing quite as expected.

For this reason, respiratory management is becoming part of the wider performance conversation. Alongside good stable ventilation, low-dust bedding and quality forage, many competition yards now incorporate routine respiratory support like nebulisation to help horses cope with the increased demands of training, travel, and competition.

Routine support

As training intensifies and travel increases, many riders are looking at proactive ways to support respiratory health.

Routine nebulisation with saline helps loosen mucus and supports the lungs' natural clearance mechanisms, helping to maintain healthy airways during periods of increased demand. Research also suggests nebulised saline may help reduce airway inflammation.

For many competition yards, respiratory support has become another part of the daily management routine alongside fitness, nutrition, and recovery.

Inside Team Meade: preparing for Burghley

For Harry Meade's Head Groom, Jess Errington, the countdown to Burghley starts long before the horses travel through the gates. Preparing multiple five-star horses for one of the world's toughest events is about meticulous planning, consistency and making sure nothing is left to chance.

"By the final month before Burghley, most of the hard work has already been done," says Jess. "Our focus shifts to making sure every horse arrives feeling as healthy, comfortable and confident as possible. It's about maintaining everything we've built throughout the season rather than changing anything."

That preparation begins with health. Veterinary and farrier work is completed well in advance, allowing plenty of time for the horses to settle back into their normal routines before competition. Respiratory management also forms part of that preparation.

"Any horses with known respiratory issues are nebulised every day in the lead-up to Burghley as part of their routine. Once we arrive at the event, we continue that routine to help support them throughout the week."

Away from the horses themselves, attention turns to the countless practical details that make a championship week run smoothly.

"Tack is checked, every piece of equipment is packed and labelled, and we make sure we've got everything from feed and bedding to first aid supplies and spare tack. Hopefully you never need the spares, but you always want them with you."

Travel is planned just as carefully.

"We try to make the journey as stress-free as possible, making sure the horses are comfortable and well hydrated. Once we're on site, the priority is getting them settled into a calm, familiar routine as quickly as possible. Their stable is prepared straight away with fresh bedding, water and forage so they can relax after travelling."

From there, every day follows a carefully managed rhythm.

"Our job is to make sure Harry can focus entirely on riding. The horses are ready on time for exercise, training and inspections, they're warmed up and cooled down according to his plan, and after every ride we're checking tack, grooming and making sure they're looking and feeling their best."

"It's often the small details that people don't see that make the biggest difference. At this level, you're trying to remove as many variables as possible so the horses can go out and perform to the best of their ability."

Small details, big difference

Elite performance is built on consistency rather than quick fixes.

Whether preparing for a five-star event or a local competition, attention to the small details can make a meaningful difference to both performance and welfare.

Hear more on Harry and his horses

To hear more from Harry Meade, listen to the first episode of the Between the Reins podcast, where he is joined by equine vet, Fiona Farmer, and BreathEazy Director and vet, Jon Slattery, to discuss the role of respiratory health in preparing horses for peak performance.

Find out more about BreathEazy and how equine respiratory health affects athletic potential.