Is your horse too hot in his rug? There’s an app for that

New technology launched this year could soon beam vital statistics about your horse directly to your smartphone.

Horseware Ireland has developed a temperature and humidity monitor that is designed to sit underneath a rug and sends readings to the HorsePal app.

It was revealed at the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) trade fair (24-26 January) and was highly commended in the BETA innovation awards.

The app takes information from the monitor and combines it with the weather forecast for the following three days to recommend a rug for your horse.

Users will also be able to add other information, such as their horse’s condition, age, breed and whether he is clipped or not, which will have a bearing on the choice.

“We have a vision for a whole load of sensors,” Horseware Ireland co-founder Tom MacGuinness told H&H.

“We wanted something very simple for the launch to get on the ladder.

“The exciting thing is that this is the first in a whole line of upgrades.”

The current sensor requires you to be within 15 metres of your horse, but there are plans to extend this.

Mr MacGuinness added that future features will include a memory for the previous three days, a movement sensor and alerts sent direct to your phone for any unusual equine behaviour.

The app will launch as a stand-alone next month and the monitor will be available from the autumn, when the two will be integrated.

Ref: H&H 4 February, 2016

Lucy Elder

H&H senior news writer

Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.