The dynamic roles of horses in today's society—from sport and leisure riding to therapeutic activities and companionship—underscore the critical need for effective health and welfare monitoring. Advances in livestock farming technologies, including wearables, environmental sensors, and computer vision, are transforming the management practices for domestic animals, including horses. These technologies provide not only real-time health monitoring but also early detection of anomalies that may indicate diseases, which is invaluable for research, veterinary care, and horse owners alike. While several promising technologies such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and video surveillance have demonstrated potential in research settings, many are yet to transition successfully into practical, everyday applications.
This Research Topic aims to explore the evolution, validation, and on-the-ground application of technology in monitoring horse health and welfare. The goal is to advance the integration of these technologies into routine use, ensuring that they meet the high standards required for accuracy and consistency. By bridging the gap between experimental research and real-world application, this collection seeks to enhance the capabilities of veterinarians, researchers, and horse owners in maintaining the health and well-being of horses.
We welcome submissions that address a broad spectrum of technologies and methodological approaches relevant to equine welfare and health monitoring:
- Development and validation of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) devices and techniques tailored to equine contexts.
- Innovative monitoring systems for health and welfare indicators, including pain.
- Application of numerical methods and forecasting models to predict health outcomes.
- Studies on technology integration into horse housing systems and its implications.
- Evaluations of management practices' impacts on horse health and welfare through technological solutions.
This Research Topic encourages the submission of original research articles, robust scientific reviews, and case studies that provide insights into the practical challenges and solutions associated with implementing technology in the field. By compiling these contributions, this issue aims to enhance the scientific foundation and operational guidelines for deploying technology in ways that improve horse welfare and overall health management.
The dynamic roles of horses in today's society—from sport and leisure riding to therapeutic activities and companionship—underscore the critical need for effective health and welfare monitoring. Advances in livestock farming technologies, including wearables, environmental sensors, and computer vision, are transforming the management practices for domestic animals, including horses. These technologies provide not only real-time health monitoring but also early detection of anomalies that may indicate diseases, which is invaluable for research, veterinary care, and horse owners alike. While several promising technologies such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and video surveillance have demonstrated potential in research settings, many are yet to transition successfully into practical, everyday applications.
This Research Topic aims to explore the evolution, validation, and on-the-ground application of technology in monitoring horse health and welfare. The goal is to advance the integration of these technologies into routine use, ensuring that they meet the high standards required for accuracy and consistency. By bridging the gap between experimental research and real-world application, this collection seeks to enhance the capabilities of veterinarians, researchers, and horse owners in maintaining the health and well-being of horses.
We welcome submissions that address a broad spectrum of technologies and methodological approaches relevant to equine welfare and health monitoring:
- Development and validation of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) devices and techniques tailored to equine contexts.
- Innovative monitoring systems for health and welfare indicators, including pain.
- Application of numerical methods and forecasting models to predict health outcomes.
- Studies on technology integration into horse housing systems and its implications.
- Evaluations of management practices' impacts on horse health and welfare through technological solutions.
This Research Topic encourages the submission of original research articles, robust scientific reviews, and case studies that provide insights into the practical challenges and solutions associated with implementing technology in the field. By compiling these contributions, this issue aims to enhance the scientific foundation and operational guidelines for deploying technology in ways that improve horse welfare and overall health management.