Wearable and remote sensing technologies are transforming the ability to monitor horse welfare continuously, enabling earlier detection of health and behavioral changes.
Behavioral monitoring technology extends the welfare-protective attention of skilled horsepersons beyond what any individual human can provide. A horse in a field or stable is typically unobserved for most of the day - welfare problems that develop between visits may go undetected for hours or days. Continuous monitoring technologies detect deviations from individual baseline patterns that indicate health or behavioral change. The welfare benefit is earlier detection, which translates to earlier intervention and reduced suffering duration. As these technologies become more affordable and accessible, they have the potential to significantly improve welfare monitoring across the equine population.