Comparison of analyses of respiratory gases made with the K4b2 portable and Quark laboratory analysers in horses.

This research compares how well a portable K4b2 telemetric unit and a laboratory Quark metabolic cart measure respiratory gases in horses at rest and during exercise. The results show no significant difference between the measurements of the two devices.

Objective of the Research

• The main objective of this research was to compare the effectiveness of the portable K4b2 telemetric unit with the Quark metabolic cart, which is generally used in a laboratory setting, to measure various respiratory gases in horses. These measurements were conducted both at rest and during two standardized, incremental treadmill exercise tests at a submaximal speed.

Samples and Methodology

• Seven warmblood horses were chosen for this experiment and the tests were performed in a random order.
• The devices specifically measured minute ventilation (VE) and the fractions of expired oxygen and carbon dioxide (FeO2 and FeCO2).
• Additional estimations of oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were calculated using the Haldane equation.

Results of the Study

• The results showed no significant differences between the measurements made with the portable K4b2 telemetric unit and the Quark metabolic cart.
• However, it was found that VE was overestimated when the horses were cantering at 10 m/s compared with the values found in existing literature.

Conclusion of the Study

• While the study found no significant differences between the two devices, the VE overestimation at canter indicates the necessity of further research in order to validate the accuracy of these devices in different testing conditions.