Exercise-associated rhythm disturbances in poorly performing Thoroughbreds: risk factors and association with racing performance.

Background: Exercise-associated cardiac rhythm disturbances are common, but there is a lack of evidence-based criteria on which to distinguish clinically relevant rhythm disturbances from those that are not.

Objectives: To describe and characterise rhythm disturbances during clinical exercise testing; to explore potential risk factors for these rhythm disturbances and to determine whether they influenced future racing.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort using a convenience sample.