The equestrian industry has always been a blend of tradition and heritage – things like dusty arenas, natural materials, craftsmanship, and many traditions. It doesn’t scream technology, that’s for sure.
Lately, the equine industry has been through a high-tech makeover, which is expected since technological advancements are the main driving factor for so many other industries.
At this point, you are probably wondering how technology is getting incorporated into the equine industry. After all, you only need a horse, a good saddle, and you are good to go. That’s true, but technology can help us manage things quicker, improve the safety aspect of riding horses, and make more calculated decisions based on data.
That’s why nowadays we have smart gadgets tracking the horse’s movement and vitals, AI technology analyzing the data, and many other tech devices that are making the industry smarter, safer, and of course, more exciting.
Let’s see how technology has impacted the equestrian industry in the past couple of years.
Smart Wearables
The first and probably most used technology in the equestrian world today is smart wearables. Doesn’t matter if you are a professional jockey competing in the big league or just a casual rider, these smart wearables are perfect for tracking your vitals and other useful information like distance, speed, etc.
The best thing is that these gadgets aren’t limited only to humans. Yes, that’s right. Nowadays, you can find specifically designed wearable devices for horses that can measure their stride, speed, heart rate, and other data in real-time.
This technology is also a game changer for trainers, where they can measure the horse’s activity with each training session and adjust the strategy just to get the best performance on the upcoming race.
Wearable devices for horses aren’t cheap. They are anywhere from $300 – $1000, and if you want to get into more complex ones like AI-powered wearables that scan your horse’s movement, you will pay even more.
AI and Data
Since we mentioned AI, we must go deeper. Artificial intelligence is the latest tech trend that dominates the world. Every single industry is affected by AI, and even devices that don’t make sense to have artificial intelligence (like your bed) now have it.
However, AI and Data can be really useful in the equestrian industry. Data also plays a crucial role in the equine industry. From punters collecting information before they dive into the Kentucky Oaks odds, to trainers and jockeys analyzing the data before the race.
The good thing is that now we have the technology to collect accurate data.
Virtual Reality
As we all know, the equine industry has fans from all around the world, and getting to experience big events thousands of miles away felt out of reach for so many people. That was the deal until VR technology came up to change things.
Nowadays, some races allow you to buy VR tickets, allowing you to see the race in real-time from your goggles, just like if you were sitting there. People also get to experience what is like to become a jockey.
You strap on a headset, hop onto a motion platform, and suddenly you’re cantering through a digital version of Badminton or Rolex. It’s not just fun—it’s practical. Riders can test courses, nail their timing, or even “ride” tracks they’ve never seen, all without risking a fall or stressing their horse.
But VR technology isn’t only useful for entertainment purposes. Virtual Reality technology and simulation rigs are now a crucial part of a jockey’s training regime.
Jockeys are big on this too. VR setups let them rehearse race strategies or get a feel for tracks like Santa Anita from thousands of miles away. For amateurs, it’s a safe way to build confidence before tackling real fences. At $2,000-$10,000 for a home rig, it’s a steep buy-in, but some training centers offer hourly sessions for a fraction of that.
Drones and Video
Drones are buzzing over equestrian events, and they’re not just for cool Instagram shots. These flying cameras capture angles that ground crews can’t, giving trainers a full view of a horse’s form or a rider’s technique. During a show-jumping round, a drone can track every stride, letting coaches spot where a horse hesitated, or a rider leaned too far.
For fans, drones are making broadcasts epic. Events like the FEI World Cup now use drone feeds to show every angle of a course, pulling viewers right into the action. Smaller stables are getting in on it too, using budget drones to record schooling sessions. A decent drone runs $500-$2,000, and while it won’t replace your farrier, it’s a slick way to up your training game or make your next show reel pop.
Smart Stables
Tech isn’t just for the saddle—it’s transforming the barn too. Smart stable systems, like those from StableGuard, use IoT (Internet of Things) sensors to monitor everything from stall temperature to water levels.
Forgot to check if your horse’s bucket is full? An app pings you. Worried about colic? Sensors can track if your horse is lying down for too long and send an alert. It’s like a smart home, but for your horse’s crib.
On the eco front, stables are going green with tech like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems. Tracks like Del Mar have slashed their carbon footprint with solar-powered lighting and recycled bedding materials. These setups aren’t just good for the planet—they cut costs, letting stables invest more in horse care.
So, as you can see, technology is changing the equestrian industry in many different ways. But don’t worry, the tradition and history aren’t forgotten.
