Many trainers judge the health of their horses’ airways by listening to the sounds the animals make while they are exercising. Airway Dynamics of Midway, Ky., is doing the same thing more scientifically by using high-tech equipment. Veterinarian David Lambert and Robert West Jr., who operates Millford Farm, own the company.

Airway Dynamics demonstrated its information-gathering technique at Keeneland in conjunction with the recent International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology. Two horses were breezed while wearing special blinkers with a pouch that held a microcassette recorder. A microphone attached to the recorder dangled between each horse’s nostrils