AI technology can sound like a scary concept- are robots going to replace us humans and we will all be out of a job? I very much doubt that, but AI is fast becoming part of our everyday life, even if we don’t always realise it. Take auto suggestions on email, that’s AI.
So how can AI help the horses in our lives? Well in short there’s lots of different ways, and some great products out there which could really improve equine welfare, and make caring for your horse easier. Here’s a roundup of a few areas that I believe AI can be helpful for horses, and some products to look at
1. Health Monitoring
- Wearable sensors + AI: Track heart rate, gait, temperature, and movement patterns to detect early signs of injury or illness.
- Predictive analytics: AI can predict colic, lameness, or stress-related conditions before they become more serious.
2. Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention
- AI can analyze biomechanics to recommend tailored training or rehab plans after injury.
- Machine vision can monitor how a horse walks or runs, flagging subtle abnormalities.
3. Nutrition and Fitness Planning
- AI systems can design customized feeding and fitness regimens based on individual horses’ needs, activity levels, and health goals.
4. Training Optimization
- Smart video analysis: AI can break down riding sessions and give insights into performance, rider balance, or how the horse responds.
- Helps adjust training techniques for better results without overworking the horse.
5. Stable Management
- AI can optimize lighting, feeding, ventilation, and bedding schedules for better comfort and efficiency.
- Environmental sensors powered by AI can monitor conditions to prevent respiratory or skin issues.
6. Behavior Analysis
- AI can detect stress, anxiety, or unusual behavior patterns that might indicate discomfort or poor welfare.
AI tools you might like to check out
Sleip
Sleip offers an AI-powered gait analysis app that uses a smartphone camera to detect and quantify asymmetries in a horse’s movement. By tracking over 100 anatomical keypoints, it provides stride-by-stride analysis in minutes, aiding in early detection of lameness and monitoring rehabilitation progress. Several of my clients use this, and I’ve heard lots of great things about this app.
Check out Sleip here
EMBLE AI
EMBLE AI analyzes video feeds from stall cameras to monitor horse behavior and physiological processes, identifying abnormalities and potential health concerns. It compiles detailed medical histories, assisting veterinarians in making accurate diagnoses. emble.pro
HoofStep
HoofStep utilizes a smart sensor placed in a horse’s headgear to monitor behavior continuously. Its AI technology detects deviations from normal patterns, potentially indicating conditions like colic or lameness, and notifies owners via a mobile app. emble.pro+2HoofStep+2Equestrian Facility Design+2
Steed EMS
Steed EMS provides a wearable device that monitors a horse’s vital signs and activity in real-time. It alerts owners to changes in health parameters, enabling prompt intervention and enhancing overall equine welfare. steedems.com
Ridesum – AI Horse Analytics
Ridesum’s AI Horse Analytics acts as a ‘high-tech mirror,’ offering real-time feedback on a horse’s head and neck positions during training. This tool aids riders in making informed decisions to improve performance and welfare, and I think is going to be very powerful for the future of equestrian sport. AI Horse Analytics – Ridesum
EquiTrace
EquiTrace develops smart solutions for horse health management, including EventPass, which digitizes health documents for competitions. It also offers tools for tracking medications, temperatures, and breeding records, streamlining equine healthcare. EquiTrace
AI is a part of our everyday life, and I personally believe that many of these apps will become invaluable when it comes to caring for horses. AI is one of the many topics that we are covering at the 2025 Healthy Horse Conference, and is a very practical way that horse wonders and equine practitioners can feel more empowered to help more horses in their lives.
After all, knowledge is power! Check out all the details on the Conference here and grab your ticket to the event here, there’s options to join online and in person so wherever you are in the world you can still join this incredible event.
