Share Your Horse’s Photo for Research

We’re working with Dr. Dan Tulpan, PhD and Dr. Saeed Shadpour, PhD at the University of Guelph to develop a machine learning model that assesses equine body condition score from photos. This cutting-edge project will leverage AI to build a free app for horse owners to determine their horse’s body condition and track changes over time.

To make this research study possible, we need your help! Please upload a photo of your horse and complete the questionnaire below. As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a $10 store credit for Mad Barn. Limit one store credit per customer.

How It Works:

1. Data Collection: We gather a large and diverse set of horse photos to ensure the model can generalize well across different breeds and sizes.
2. Model Training: Our veterinarians and nutritionists assign body condition scores to these photos. The machine learning model uses this data to identify patterns for accurate body condition scoring.
3. Prediction: Once trained, the AI model can reliably predict body condition score from new photos, providing horse owners with valuable insights into their horse’s health.

Why It Matters:

Accurately monitoring a horse’s body condition is key for maintaining optimal health and performance, as well as determining what to feed your horse. Traditional methods can be subjective and inconsistent. Our AI-powered tool aims to provide a standardized, objective, and easy-to-use way for all horse owners to track their horse’s condition over time.

How to Participate:

We need your help to make this research possible. Here’s how you can be a part of this groundbreaking study:

• Please only upload a photo if your horse is at least 5 years old and not pregnant. At this time, we only need photos of horses and not donkeys or mules.
• We also need photos of minis, ponies and draft breeds! Please spread the word so our model is accurate for these horses too.
• Stand your horse on a flat, level surface. Ensure all four legs are evenly spaced and the horse is standing squarely with their head up.
• Position yourself approximately three meters (10 feet) away, perpendicular to your horse.
• Take a photo of your horse from the side, showing their entire body. If using your phone, hold it sideways to take a horizontal photo.
• Ensure the photo is clear and well-lit. There should be no other animals or people visible in the photo.
• Remove all tack, blankets, and other equipment that could obstruct your horse’s body. A halter is acceptable.
• Capture the photo from the side where the mane is not present to ensure the neck is fully visible.

By following these guidelines, you will help us ensure the highest quality data for our research. Thank you for your cooperation and support.