The role of biometric-monitoring devices in analysing equine
cardiorespiratory health: A review of the commercially-available
technologies and their applications in gallop racing
Abstract
Amidst discourse surrounding the racing industry’s social license to
operate, the welfare of racehorses and jockeys is often at the forefront
of discussions. Specifically, catastrophic events and the sudden death
(SD) of horses on race days tend to capture media attention and often
place the racing industry under public scrutiny. While such occurrences
are not frequent, they have negative ramifications on the welfare of
both racehorses and jockeys. The development of advanced diagnostic
technology is therefore paramount to bettering the safety and welfare of
horses and jockeys, as well as maintaining the integrity of the racing
industry. Most importantly, the application of such technology could
reduce the prevalence of avoidable injuries and SD. This review
discusses the relevance of monitoring horses’ cardiovascular,
respiratory, and thermometry biometrics and examines the currently
available commercial devices capable of doing so. The review also
explores the relevance and application of such devices within the racing
industry and suggests how they may fit in with currently-available tools
for monitoring the musculoskeletal health of racehorses.