ridecamp@endurance.net: Missing Heart Beats

Missing Heart Beats

Wendy Milner (wendy@wendy.cnd.hp.com)
Wed, 30 Apr 1997 9:59:05 MDT

Sue Cunningham wrote:
>How common is it for endurance horses to miss heart beats and why do
>they do it?
>Is there some advantage to missing beats rather than just having a
>slower heart beat?

Missing heart beats is bad. All animals should have a steady rhythm
at all times. A horse that is in good condition will have a slower
and "bigger" heart beat. The heart will pump more blood per beat
that a horse that is in not so good condition.

When an animal start missing beats is could be caused by one of many
factors. Electrolyte imbalance is one cause. The heart won't be
getting the correct electric signals that says beat.

If your horse is doing this, I'd get the vet out, or go to the vet
hospital and get an EKG done. Find out exactly what is going on.

--
Wendy


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  Wendy Milner                     HPDesk:   wendy_milner@hp4000
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