Impact of the technology to monitor horse behaviour and health: a scoping review.
Authors: Giannone Claudia, Atallah Elie, Dalla Costa Emanuela, Benetti Eleonora, Santolini Enrica, Tassinari Patrizia, Bovo Marco
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Monitoring Technologies for Equine Health and Behaviour: Opportunities and Challenges Wearable sensors and non-contact monitoring systems have transformed equine management over recent years, yet their practical implementation across yards and clinics remains inconsistent due to unresolved technical and validation challenges. This scoping review synthesised current evidence on heart rate monitors, biometric sensors, smart stable systems, and computer vision technologies to evaluate their contribution to equine welfare and performance. Heart rate variability monitoring emerged as particularly valuable for tracking cardiac autonomic regulation and optimising training intensity, though placement errors and signal interference frequently compromise data accuracy; similarly, wearable biometric sensors and smart stable systems enable continuous tracking of vital signs, temperature, and activity patterns, but struggle with durability issues and integration into existing management systems, whilst non-contact technologies such as computer vision offer promise for identifying behavioural changes and social interactions without the limitations of physical devices. The review underscores that whilst these technologies can facilitate early detection of health issues and prevent progression to more serious conditions, widespread adoption depends on addressing persistent gaps in scientific validation, establishing standardised accuracy benchmarks, and resolving practical concerns around device reliability and data integration. For equine professionals implementing these systems—whether for performance monitoring, health surveillance, or welfare assessment—critical evaluation of vendor claims and independent validation data should guide technology selection, particularly given the current variability in system effectiveness.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Implement heart rate monitoring systems in training programs to optimize regimens and detect cardiac problems early, but ensure proper device placement and check for signal interference to maintain accuracy
- •Consider adopting wearable sensors and smart stable systems for continuous health surveillance, recognizing that while they improve daily management and animal health detection, you'll need to evaluate device durability and compatibility with your existing systems
- •Use computer vision-based monitoring to track behavioural changes and social interactions without stressing horses, as early detection of these changes can prevent progression to serious health issues
Key Findings
- •Heart rate monitors effectively track cardiac autonomic regulation and enable early detection of cardiac issues, though accuracy is compromised by inadequate placement or signal interference
- •Wearable biometric sensors and smart stable systems provide continuous monitoring of vital signs, temperature, and activity levels but face challenges with data accuracy, device durability, and system integration
- •Computer vision technology enables non-invasive monitoring of behavioural patterns, social interactions, and movement without direct contact with horses
- •Monitoring technologies show specific benefits for equine welfare and early detection of behavioural changes that could prevent serious health issues, but scientific validation and addressing accuracy/reliability concerns remain essential