A synopsis of wearable commercially available biometric‐monitoring devices and their potential applications during gallop racing

Abstract

SummaryAmidst discourse surrounding the racing industry's social licence to operate, the welfare of racehorses and jockeys is often at the forefront of discussions. Specifically, catastrophic events and the sudden death 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 and application of advanced monitoring technology could provide greater insight into the physiological precursors that immediately precede sudden death on race days and enable retrospective analyses of catastrophic events that take place. Most importantly, the application of such technology could ultimately aid racetrack personnel in identifying and intervening with horses at increased risk of catastrophic events, right up until the start of a race. This would inevitably improve the safety and welfare of horses and jockeys. Thus, the current review details key cardiovascular, respiratory and thermometry biometrics for racehorses and examines the currently available commercial devices with potential applications during racing. This review also highlights the importance of gathering biometric data for retrospective analyses of catastrophic events and their implications on the welfare of racehorses and jockeys.