Wearable Sensors Show Promise for Detecting Racehorse Injuries
As wearable technology becomes more sophisticated, AAEP research is exploring how biometric data could help equine veterinarians spot potential problems earlier.
Wearable biometric technology could give equine veterinarians and trainers another tool for identifying subtle changes in racehorses before potential injuries become apparent, according to research conducted by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
The year-long AAEP Racehorse Wearable Biometric Sensor Research Project followed more than 700 two-year-old Thoroughbreds entering training. Six sensor manufacturers participated in the study, with the devices collecting data during weekly high-speed workouts, or breezes.
The goal was to determine whether wearable technology could serve as an early screening tool for musculoskeletal injury.
“Wearable sensors have been used in other major sports and had been used some in Thoroughbred racing already prior to the AAEP study. We were looking for a screening tool for early onset injury that could be used daily and wearable biometric sensors seemed to fit the bill,” said Dr. Sara Langsam, the study’s project coordinator and chair of the AAEP Racing Committee.
Four of the six companies — Alogo, Arioneo, StableAnalytics and StrideSafe — submitted sufficient data for the final analysis. The study found that horses receiving a yellow or red sensor designation were approximately twice as likely to experience a documented musculoskeletal issue as horses receiving green readings. The likelihood of an issue also increased as horses accumulated multiple yellow or red designations.
Dr. Langsam emphasized that the sensors aren’t intended to identify a particular injury. Instead, their value lies in detecting changes in a horse’s movement that warrant a closer look.
“These are not meant to detect specific injuries, rather alert us that the horse is moving differently than usual and should be further evaluated by their veterinary team,” she said.
That distinction is important because subtle gait changes can be difficult to identify, even for experienced horsemen and veterinarians. Horses’ natural behavior can make the challenge even greater.
“Horses are prey animals by nature and therefore can hide subtle changes to their stride. This technology provides a tool to help horsemen and veterinarians see these early stride changes before they are visible to the human eye,” Dr. Langsam said.
The AAEP project also differed from earlier research because it prospectively collected data from horses during training rather than relying on historical information.
“AAEP only collected this data for the one-time project; follow-up studies continue through the sensor companies themselves, the Thoroughbred racing industry as well as independent researchers. AAEP’s study significantly advanced the refinement and study of these sensors. Our most important takeaway is that we confirmed these sensors do show promise in the ability to detect early injury. Previous studies were retrospective; AAEP’s was one of the first prospective studies,” Dr. Langsam said.
Potential uses
The findings don’t mean wearable sensors should replace veterinary examinations or be used as a standalone basis for determining whether a horse should compete. Instead, the technology could provide veterinarians with an additional source of objective information to consider alongside physical examinations, medical history and other observations.
The potential benefit may be particularly valuable when conversations are taking place among veterinarians, trainers and owners about a horse’s health and readiness for training or competition.
“I don’t think it changes conversations as much as gives more information about the horse’s health so that better decisions can be made,” Dr. Langsam said.
The AAEP’s interest in wearable technology is part of a broader effort to improve racehorse safety by identifying injuries earlier. The association has said additional prospective research is needed to better understand injury incidence and further refine the sensitivity and specificity of individual sensors.
For equine veterinarians, the technology could ultimately represent another piece of the puzzle: a way to capture changes in movement that may otherwise remain hidden until a problem becomes more obvious.
Horses with yellow or red sensor readings were about twice as likely to experience a documented musculoskeletal issue as horses with green readings.
Sensors flag changes, not specific injuries
The technology is designed to identify changes in a horse’s movement or stride that warrant further veterinary evaluation — not to diagnose a particular injury.
An additional tool for veterinarians
Wearable sensors aren’t intended to replace physical examinations or clinical judgment. Instead, they can provide objective movement data to help veterinarians, trainers and owners make more informed decisions about a horse’s health and readiness for training or competition.
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