Equine veterinary journal2026; doi: 10.1002/evj.70205

Validation of a smart textile electrocardiographic monitoring device in racehorses during high-speed exercise.

Kapusniak, A
·
Hitchens, PL
·
Bailey, S
·
McCrae, P
·
Nath, L
·
Franklin, S

Abstract: Exercise-associated cardiac arrhythmias may contribute to poor performance and sudden cardiac death in horses. Widespread monitoring is limited by device availability and suitability for field use. Objective: To (1) compare electrocardiographic (ECG) quality from a smart textile system (Myant Skiin Equine) with a reference device (Televet II) during exercise, and (2) evaluate whether arrhythmia detection with Myant Skiin Equine is comparable to the Televet II. Methods: Prospective blinded clinical study. Methods: Fifty racehorses (25 Thoroughbreds, 25 Standardbreds) underwent up to three high-speed exercise sessions, with simultaneous ECG recordings from both devices. Recordings were assessed for diagnostic quality and arrythmia detection. Results: Simultaneous ECGs were recorded with both systems across 123 exercise sessions. Median (IQR) peak speed during exercise was 14.7 m/s (13.5-16.2). Twenty-nine (12%) recordings were non-diagnostic due to ≥10% artefact throughout the session (10 Myant; 19 Televet). The Myant Skiin Equine produced more artefact-free recordings (94/123; 76%) than the Televet II (45/123; 37%) (95% CI 28-46%; p < 0.001). Mean maximum heart rate (217.8 ± 10.1 bpm Myant; 217.6 ± 9.9 bpm Televet) showed strong agreement between devices (ICC = 0.995, mean bias = -0.153 bpm). In 79 paired diagnostic recordings assessed for arrhythmia detection, arrhythmias were detected in 85% of recordings, and in 43/50 horses (86%; 95% CI 73-94%). Agreement for arrhythmia classification was 97.5% (k = 0.96), with all discrepancies occurring because of artefact. Conclusions: Modest sample size and exclusion of some recordings due to artefact and horse withdrawal. Only the best-quality lead per recording was analysed, limiting multi-lead assessment and arrhythmia characterisation. Differences in device software and data handling may have influenced signal interpretation. Conclusions: The Myant smart textile system provides ECG recordings of comparable quality and arrhythmia detection to Televet II during high-speed exercise in racehorses. This technology offers a practical and alternative tool for field-based cardiac monitoring and may facilitate broader adoption.

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Publication Date: 2026-06-25 PubMed ID: 42347734DOI: 10.1002/evj.70205Google Scholar: Lookup

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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Research Overview

This study evaluated the effectiveness and accuracy of a smart textile electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring device called Myant Skiin Equine compared to a standard reference device, Televet II, in monitoring racehorses during high-speed exercise.
The goal was to determine if the smart textile device can reliably record ECGs and detect arrhythmias during exercise, potentially providing a more practical tool for field use in horses.

Background and Rationale

Cardiac arrhythmias occurring during exercise in horses can negatively affect performance and may cause sudden cardiac death.
Monitoring horses for arrhythmias during high-speed exercise is challenging due to limitations in current ECG devices, including availability and usability in field environments.
Smart textile technology offers an innovative approach by integrating sensors into wearable fabrics, potentially increasing comfort and ease of monitoring during vigorous activity.

Study Objectives

Compare the quality of ECG signals collected by the smart textile device (Myant Skiin Equine) to those collected by the established Televet II system during exercise.
Evaluate whether the smart textile device can detect arrhythmias as effectively as the Televet II device.

Methods

Design: A prospective, blinded clinical study involving 50 racehorses — 25 Thoroughbreds and 25 Standardbreds.
Procedure: Each horse underwent up to three high-speed exercise sessions; ECGs were recorded simultaneously by both devices during these sessions.
Data Collection: Recorded ECGs were analyzed for:
- Diagnostic quality based on presence of artefacts (noise or distortions in ECG signals).
- Heart rate and maximum heart rate agreement between devices.
- Arrhythmia detection and classification consistency between devices.

Results

Overall, 123 exercise sessions produced simultaneous ECG recordings from both devices.
Peak treadmill speeds averaged 14.7 meters/second (range 13.5-16.2 m/s).
Diagnostic quality:
- 12% of recordings were non-diagnostic due to excessive artefact (≥10% of the session).
  - 10 non-diagnostic recordings from Myant Skiin Equine.
  - 19 non-diagnostic recordings from Televet II.
- The Myant Skiin Equine produced significantly more artefact-free recordings (76%) compared to Televet II (37%).
Heart rate measurement:
- Strong agreement in mean maximum heart rate between devices (~217.8 bpm for Myant, ~217.6 bpm for Televet II).
- Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.995 indicated near-perfect consistency.
Arrhythmia detection:
- Assessed in 79 paired diagnostic recordings.
- Arrhythmias were identified in 85% of these recordings, occurring in 86% of the horses.
- Very high agreement for arrhythmia classification between devices (97.5%, kappa = 0.96).
- All discrepancies were related to artefacts affecting signal clarity.

Limitations

Moderate sample size with some data excluded due to artefacts and horse dropout.
Analysis was limited to the best-quality lead per recording, so multi-lead ECG potential and arrhythmia characterization were constrained.
Differences in device software and data processing methods could have influenced signal interpretation and results.

Conclusions and Implications

The Myant Skiin Equine smart textile system provided ECG recordings of comparable quality to the Televet II biology device during high-speed exercise in racehorses.
It demonstrated similar accuracy in detecting cardiac arrhythmias during exercise.
This wearable technology offers a practical, field-suitable alternative for cardiac monitoring in horses.
Broader adoption of smart textile ECG monitoring may enhance real-time cardiac assessment and potentially improve detection and management of exercise-associated arrhythmias in equine athletes.

Cite This Article

APA

Kapusniak A, Hitchens PL, Bailey S, McCrae P, Nath L, Franklin S. (2026). Validation of a smart textile electrocardiographic monitoring device in racehorses during high-speed exercise. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1002/evj.70205

Publication

Equine veterinary journal

ISSN: 2042-3306

NlmUniqueID: 0173320

Country: United States

Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Kapusniak, Amie

School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.

Hitchens, Peta L

Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Bailey, Simon

Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

McCrae, Persephone

Animal Sciences Division, Myant Corp, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Nath, Laura

School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.

Franklin, Samantha

School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Adelaide University, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.

Grant Funding

LP210200798 / Australian Research Council

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