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How Data Has the Power to Transform the Equine Industry

Most of us are streaming on our devices daily, binge-watching Sky Watch versus Imperator, dancing to TikTok and accessing Facebook to read about our favorite horse show. Do you wonder how that very technology is helping further the equine industry? For an answer, we turned to our next guest blogger, Protequus®, a biomedical engineering and data science firm. You may be familiar with Protequus^® as developers of NIGHTWATCH^® smart halter^™.

It is 2020, and we rely on technology — and its collected data — more than ever. Now that it’s completely integrated into our homes, cars, and even the places we shop and dine, it’s no surprise that tech can now be found in the barn too. From virtual reality and security systems to horse-health monitoring and event-based applications, technology is harmonizing with the equestrian world more than we realize. Here’s how we believe collected data will transform the equine industry in the years ahead:

Provide access to real-time data, all the time
The rise of 5G provides fast downloading speeds, zero to minimal lag time, and quick internet access. Nearly a decade in the making, 5G is being gradually rolled out by large cellular carriers and is offered within select major cities. Once 5G becomes the norm, equestrians competing at large, heavily-crowded venues will be able to access real-time online scores, event information and social media with no connectivity issues. Soon, trainers will be able to connect to horse health and barn security systems from anywhere in the world.

Boost interest in the sport
The equestrian lifestyle -- including its sport, show, and even pleasure aspects -- is intimidating to non-horse people due to either nonparticipation or emotional disconnect. By sharing information with spectators and potential fans (and collecting data on said spectators and potential fans), marketers can better understand how to engage viewers and create an emotional connection. Compiled data also gives equine organizations -- such as barns, trainers, and veterinarians -- evidence of what their target market wants and helps better tailor their presentations and events.

Promote telehealth
Technology has the power to remotely connect healthcare professionals with their patients in a timely manner. Having this ability is becoming increasingly important among the equine veterinary community. Currently, one percent of veterinary students are electing to specialize in horses, and nearly 50% of these students will opt to leave their equine practice within 5 years of graduation. This raises a concern regarding care for an aging horse population with a declining number of equine veterinarians. Telehealth technologies with associated smartphone apps will be “boots on the ground” for both veterinarians and trainers. For instance, NIGHTWATCH^® smart halter^™ is an equine distress and wellness monitor that transmits continual information, thereby allowing problem preparedness in lieu of problem reaction. By actively looking for changes in a horse’s normal baseline biometrics (heart rate, respiration) and behavior (activity level), the smart halter™ identifies early signs of pain and distress and sends the objective evidence immediately to the NIGHTWATCH^® app.

Enable predictive medicine
Advances in genomics, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology now make it possible for healthcare professionals to predict and treat certain health issues, even before symptomatic presentation. As the collective body of human and animal health data grows, more specific and personalized interventions are likely to become the norm. The animal health industry will be transformed through data science and predictive analytics for improved health and performance outcomes. Through AI-driven health technology, we are likely to see animal-specific prophylactic programming for inoculations, diet, training and more.

Elevate horsemanship
Knowledge is power. Collecting data on everything from an individual horse’s sleeping patterns to activity levels and even grazing preferences makes it possible to identify problems early and create solutions before they worsen. However, collection of this data has been historically difficult because it relied on intermittent and subjective behavior observation by caretakers. Today, the advent of technology allows collection of continuous, objective, biometric and behavior data on horses so caretakers can practice horsemanship more efficiently and with higher confidence. Decision-making is easier via Equine Distress Index^® (EDI^®), which quantifies a horse’s distress level on a scale of 1 to 10. The lower a horse’s EDI^® score, the healthier and happier they are.

Data is the new currency for our industry to better understand the equine species and transform how business is conducted. When we think about the insurance sector, having access to objective real-time data on individual horses has game-changing potential. Such insight has the power to transform how actuaries assess risk, how underwriters structure policies, and how premiums are calculated. Imagine the ability for horse owners to avoid costly colic surgery because they received an early-warning distress alert; imagine the ability for veterinarians to send horses home sooner from their clinic because they can remotely monitor them; imagine the ability for breeders to be by their mare’s side when she is foaling to avoid complications; imagine the ability for trainers to tailor a horse’s daily program based upon overnight activity. Well, you don’t need to imagine any longer; technology makes it all possible today.

Technology is here to stay, and as more data is gathered and our industry expertise is further refined, the future of equine technology over the next 10 years — and beyond — is limitless.

This blog was written by Caroline Arendt on behalf of Protequus®. Founded in 2013 by Jeffrey R. Schab, Protequus^® is committed to transforming equine health & performance outcomes through data science and predictive analytics. Caroline Arendt helps agricultural brands share their unique stories online through social media, writing and web design.

The views, information, or opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of Protequus^® and do not necessarily represent those of Equidae Insurance. For more information about Protequus^®, please go to: https://www.protequus.com

For more information about equine or farm insurance, or if you have a topic you’d like to see covered in our blog, please contact us directly at: Equidae Insurance, Inc. 608 Virginia Street East, Suite 302 Charleston, WV 25301 p. (304) 346-1198 f. (304) 345-3535

Stacey Halloran, Agent
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