Let’s compare the horse’s circulatory and respiratory systems to an engine. The food it consumes is its fuel. The respiratory system provides oxygen to facilitate metabolism, and the cardiovascular or circulatory system delivers the oxygen and nutrients to tissues and carries off waste products that are produced. Together the circulatory and respiratory systems work to fuel the horse’s body.

The flow of blood and oxygen can make the difference between a champion and an ordinary horse, or when problems develop, it can mean the difference between life and death. This free report is the 11th installment of the horse anatomy and physiology series, where we will take a close look at the equine circulatory and respiratory systems and the manner in which they function.