Testing VHF/GPS collar design and safety in the study of free-roaming horses.
Authors: Collins Gail H, Petersen Steven L, Carr Craig A, Pielstick Leon
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: GPS/VHF Collar Safety and Design for Free-roaming Horses Monitoring free-roaming horse populations requires reliable tracking technology, yet GPS and VHF collars have seen limited application in equine research despite their widespread use in wildlife management. Collins and colleagues evaluated collar design and safety across 28 domestic and feral horses between 2009 and 2010, iteratively modifying commercial and custom-built collars based on observed wear patterns, ultimately implementing improvements including asymmetrical length adjustments for neck conformation, foam padding, and repositioned detachment mechanisms. Neither collar type caused injury to study animals following design modifications, though custom-built units demonstrated limited data collection reliability compared to commercial models; crucially, the detachment device achieved an 89% success rate, reducing the risk of collar entanglement or permanent fixture on the animal. These findings validate GPS/VHF collars as a safe monitoring tool for equine populations, provided designs account for individual neck anatomy and incorporate adequate padding and fail-safe release mechanisms—important considerations for land managers and researchers conducting behavioural studies or habitat assessments in free-roaming horses. For practitioners involved in equine welfare, this work underscores that modern collar technology can be deployed without compromising animal health, though careful attention to fit and regular assessment remain essential safeguards.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •GPS/VHF collars can be safely applied to free-roaming horses when properly designed with adequate padding and correct positioning to avoid chafing at the jowl and neck
- •If using tracking collars for management purposes, ensure commercial collars or well-tested custom designs are used, as many homemade versions fail to collect reliable data
- •Regular monitoring for collar fit and adjustment is important; collars should allow for neck shape variation and be checked for wear along pressure points
Key Findings
- •Modified GPS/VHF collar designs with foam padding and repositioned detachment devices caused little to no observable neck or jowl injury in 28 free-roaming horses
- •89% success rate achieved for collar detachment mechanisms after design modifications
- •Custom-built collars with inadequate data collection capability can be replaced by commercial collars with comparable safety profiles and superior function