Technologies for equine welfare and performance monitoring under field conditions - Where do we stand?
Authors: Aarts Rhana Mackie, Siegers Esther W, Serra Braganca Filipe M, van Weeren P René
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary As equestrian sports face increasing scrutiny regarding animal welfare and social licence to operate, the ability to objectively measure how horses respond physiologically and psychologically to exercise has become essential for practitioners seeking evidence-based management strategies. Mackie and colleagues conducted a comprehensive review of technologies currently available for field-based monitoring of the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, thermoregulatory, endocrine, and locomotory systems—evaluating which tools have sufficient validation to be reliably used in practical settings with working horses. The authors distinguish between established, validated technologies with proven accuracy and precision, and emerging innovations still in development, providing practitioners with clarity on what can be trusted for real-time welfare assessment during training and competition. Key practical implications include using validated wearable sensors and monitoring devices to track individual horse responses to workload, detect early signs of fatigue or physiological stress, and make informed decisions about training intensity and recovery—ultimately supporting both welfare outcomes and performance optimisation. For farriers, veterinarians, physiotherapists, and coaches, this review offers a roadmap for integrating objective monitoring technologies into routine practice, helping move beyond subjective observation towards quantifiable, reproducible assessments that strengthen the evidence base for equine welfare in sport.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Modern monitoring technologies now enable precise, field-based assessment of horse welfare during exercise—familiarize yourself with validated tools relevant to your practice area to provide evidence-based care
- •Comprehensive welfare evaluation requires measuring multiple physiological parameters (cardiovascular, respiratory, thermoregulatory, locomotory) rather than relying on single indicators
- •Stay informed about emerging monitoring technologies that may soon become practical field tools for objectively assessing how your training or management practices affect horse health and performance
Key Findings
- •Multiple physiological systems including cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, thermoregulatory, endocrine, and locomotory systems undergo complex adaptations during equine exercise
- •Quantitative monitoring technologies for physiological and psychological parameters in horses have developed rapidly over the past two decades
- •Field-applicable validated technologies exist for measuring equine welfare parameters, though availability varies by parameter of interest
- •Emerging innovations in equine monitoring technologies show promise for contributing to welfare assessment and the social licence to operate debate in equestrian sports