Nixon Equine Electrocardiography
Nixon Equine uses an electrocardiograph (ECG) monitor that enables the heart to be assessed in both the stationary horse at rest, and also the horse during exercise.
The ECG reflects the heart’s electric activity, and displays the heart’s rhythm and any arrhythmias present. An arrhythmia is when the heart does not beat with a regular rhythm. It is extremely valuable to be able to monitor how an arrhythmia alters with changing levels of exercise.
Many normal horses have an arrhythmia at rest which is abolished by exercise. However, highly significant arrhythmias, which are only seen under exercise at high heart rates, require an ECG in order to be detected and a diagnosis made. These arrhythmias are often presented because the horse owner reports that the horse is showing poor athletic performance.
Our ECG monitor is light , and easily carried in a small pocket, which can be attached to the saddle or a sursingle during exercise. 3 small electrodes are attached to the horse’s body by non-painful adhesive stickers. Our ECG monitor enables us to record 40minutes of exercise, which can give a vital diagnosis of a significant cardiac arrhythmia.
Why detecting arrhythmis is important
While many types of arrhythmias can significantly reduce athletic performance (and in extreme cases cause sudden death) it is important to recognise that other types of arrhythmia are benign. The ECG monitor, in combination with other diagnostic procedures, enables us to actively distinguish between the two.
