The History of FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips

Jim Chiapetta and Ed Blach began developing FLAIR 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 providing external support to the nasal passages similar to the Breathe Right® strip used by human athletes. A review of the equine scientific 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 found the unique construction that improved airflow, was safe to use, and easy to apply.

Now, 25 years later, we are pleased that Jim and Ed’s initial “what if” questions have provoked significant university and private clinical research. More than eight clinical studies, several physiology and veterinary textbook articles, numerous symposia, presentations, discussions and debates confirm their original hypothesis.

The Progression from Flair, LLC to Achieve Equine, LLC 

We are passionate about serving our customers and working to have a greater impact on serving the needs of horses and riders. To reinforce our commitment, in December 2020 we changed our name from Flair, LLC to Achieve Equine, LLC.

Achieve Equine is a small but mighty global team that is working to identify and deliver innovative, evidence-based products to improve the health and performance of horses.

The Company is located near Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the pastures are green and innovation is intentional. Our passion is horses. Our culture is built on relationships, data and a “get it done” attitude. Our team is kind, dependable, and knowledgeable.