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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.70092

Technologies for equine welfare and performance monitoring under field conditions – Where do we stand?

Abstract: The need for comprehensive equine welfare assessments has become particularly evident amid ongoing debates about the social licence to operate in equestrian sports. During exercise, multiple physiological systems, principally the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, thermoregulatory, endocrine, and locomotory systems, undergo complex adaptations. To monitor and determine equine welfare, an approach that focuses on the quantitative monitoring of both physiological and psychological parameters to determine and understand the impact of equestrian sports on horses is essential. Existing and emerging technologies that allow for the quantitative assessment of such parameters have developed rapidly over the past two decades and have increasingly enabled precise monitoring of horses, though the available tools vary depending on the parameter of interest. This review explores current technologies for measuring parameters associated with these physiological systems and their practical applications in assessing equine well-being. The focus lies on validated technologies for which accuracy and precision have been determined. The aim of this review is to present an overview of current technologies available for the measurement of both physiological and psychological parameters in horses during exercise and to what extent they can be used under field conditions. The review concludes by discussing promising innovations that, while still in early development, could significantly contribute to equine welfare and the broader social licence to operate debate.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-09-06 PubMed ID: 40913481DOI: 10.1111/evj.70092Google 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.

Overview

  • This research article reviews the current and emerging technologies used to monitor the welfare and performance of horses during exercise in real-world field conditions.
  • It highlights validated tools that measure physiological and psychological parameters to assess equine well-being, while also discussing future innovations that could improve welfare monitoring and support the social acceptability of equestrian sports.

Introduction and Background

  • The need for comprehensive equine welfare assessments has become more urgent due to societal debates about the ethics and social licence of equestrian sports.
  • During exercise, horses undergo complex physiological changes involving multiple systems:
    • Cardiovascular system
    • Respiratory system
    • Muscular system
    • Thermoregulatory system
    • Endocrine system
    • Locomotory system
  • Monitoring these systems quantitatively allows objective assessment of a horse’s welfare and helps understand the impact of sports activities.

Purpose of the Review

  • To provide an overview of current technologies available for measuring physiological and psychological parameters in horses during exercise.
  • To focus primarily on validated tools where accuracy and precision have been demonstrated.
  • To address the extent to which these technologies can be applied under field conditions, i.e., outside laboratory environments.
  • To examine the practical applications of these technologies for assessing equine welfare.
  • To discuss promising innovative technologies that are still in development but hold potential to advance welfare monitoring.

Technologies for Physiological Monitoring

  • Cardiovascular Monitoring:
    • Heart rate monitors and ECG devices used to track cardiac functioning.
    • Validated devices provide accurate heart rate and rhythm readings during exercise.
    • Useful for assessing stress, fitness levels, and exertion intensity.
  • Respiratory Monitoring:
    • Technology measures breathing rate, tidal volume, and respiratory patterns.
    • Wearable respiratory sensors are being developed suitable for field use.
    • Important for detecting respiratory distress or fatigue.
  • Muscular and Locomotory Systems:
    • Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and motion capture technologies assess gait, stride, and muscular function.
    • These tools help detect asymmetries, lameness, or inefficient movement patterns.
    • Some systems are ruggedized for outdoor conditions enabling continuous monitoring.
  • Thermoregulatory and Endocrine Monitoring:
    • Core and skin temperature sensors monitor thermal regulation performance.
    • Hormone level measurement technologies, often involving blood or saliva samples, reveal stress and metabolic status.
    • Non-invasive or minimally invasive methods are an area of ongoing research.

Technologies for Psychological Monitoring

  • Psychological parameters such as stress, pain, or anxiety are more challenging to quantify.
  • Behavioral monitoring via video analysis and automated motion tracking provides insights into discomfort or distress.
  • Heart rate variability (HRV) measures autonomic nervous system balance, serving as an indicator of emotional state.
  • Emergent sensor technologies aim to integrate physiological and behavioral data for comprehensive welfare assessment.

Field Applicability of Technologies

  • The review emphasizes tools validated for accuracy in real-world field conditions, not just controlled lab environments.
  • Challenges for field deployment include:
    • Durability and robustness against weather and movement.
    • Ease of use by trainers, vets, or riders without specialized equipment.
    • Wireless data transmission and real-time analysis capabilities.
  • Current technologies are increasingly portable, user-friendly, and precise, facilitating on-site welfare monitoring.

Future Innovations and Potential Impact

  • Several emerging technologies under development may transform welfare monitoring, such as:
    • Advanced biosensors for real-time hormone or metabolite detection.
    • Artificial intelligence-driven behavioral analysis platforms.
    • Integrative systems combining multiple sensor data streams for comprehensive health profiles.
  • These innovations could improve early detection of welfare issues and help maintain the social licence to operate equestrian sports.
  • Increased welfare transparency and objective measurement tools may positively influence public perception and regulatory policies.

Conclusions

  • The review concludes that while significant progress has been made in equine welfare monitoring technologies, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
  • Technologies vary based on the parameter monitored, with some ready for broad field use and others still experimental.
  • Ongoing development and validation are critical to ensure tools are accurate, practical, and sensitive to subtle welfare indicators.
  • Integration of physiological and psychological data streams offers the best pathway toward comprehensive equine welfare assessment.
  • Such advancements hold promise for enhancing performance, health, and ethical standards in equestrian sports.

Cite This Article

APA
Aarts RM, Siegers EW, Serra Braganca FM, van Weeren PR. (2025). Technologies for equine welfare and performance monitoring under field conditions – Where do we stand? Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70092

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Aarts, Rhana Mackie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Siegers, Esther W
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Serra Braganca, Filipe M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Weeren, P René
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Grant Funding

  • E!114697 / Eurostars

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