Wearable biometric sensors may help identify racehorses at risk of injury, AAEP study finds

Wearable biometric sensors may help identify racehorses at higher risk of musculoskeletal injury before they compete, according to findings from a yearlong study released by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

The prospective study followed more than 700 2-year-old Thoroughbreds as they entered race training, evaluating whether sensor technology could detect early signs of injury during high-speed exercise sessions, or breezes.

Researchers found horses flagged by the sensors with yellow or red readings were about twice as likely to sustain a musculoskeletal injury compared with horses that received green readings.

“The study demonstrated that these high-tech tools show promise as a detection system for musculoskeletal injury in racehorses and can serve as an effective complement to the existing oversight provided by veterinarians and trainers,” the AAEP said in a release announcing the findings.¹

The AAEP Wearable Biometric Sensor Research Project is believed to be the first prospective study to evaluate biometric sensors for injury detection in racehorses.

From February to December 2025, researchers monitored 561 horses during 4252 high-speed exercise sessions (termed breezes). The data collection captured 221 musculoskeletal injuries, specifically breaking down into 142 bone-related injuries and 79 soft tissue injuries.^1,2

Six sensor manufacturers initially participated in the study, though only 4 companies—Alogo, Arioneo, StableAnalytics, and StrideSafe—submitted enough data to be included in the final analysis.

Each company used proprietary algorithms to analyze exercise data and assign a green, yellow, or red designation after a breeze. Researchers found the likelihood of injury increased further in horses that accumulated multiple yellow or red readings over time.

The analysis also found injury risk was highest in horses with a previous recorded injury, horses that accumulated more red flags within a 90-day period, and horses during unofficial breezes compared with official breezes.

Sara Langsam, VMD, AAEP project coordinator for the study and chair of the organization’s Racing Committee, said the findings are not intended to support removing horses from competition based solely on sensor readings.

“This study was not intended to validate the use of sensors as a tool to scratch horses from competition on race day, but rather to validate if sensors can provide more information about a racehorse’s physical condition prior to a horse being entered to race,” Langsam said in the AAEP release.¹

The sensors also did not appear to interfere with training activity, according to the AAEP. About half of the 2-year-olds enrolled in the study raced in 2025, compared with an industry average of 39.6% of eligible 2-year-olds making at least one start that year.¹

While the AAEP said the technology still requires refinement before broader implementation, the organization said wearable biometric sensors could become another tool to support injury prevention and equine welfare in racing.

The AAEP also emphasized the need for additional prospective research and improved data collection to better refine the sensitivity and specificity of individual sensors.

“Most of the industry is excited to be able to have technology to augment their ability to detect low-level injury,” Langsam told the AVMA.² “I think everyone's pretty excited about it in general, knowing that some more work needs to be done before any kind of full implementation could be adopted.”

The project received more than $900,000 in funding from 11 Thoroughbred and veterinary industry organizations, including Breeders’ Cup Limited, Keeneland Association, the New York Racing Association, and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

References

1. AAEP Research Study Demonstrates Wearable Biometric Sensors Show Exciting Potential for Injury Detection in Racehorses. News release. American Association of Equine Practitioners. April 21, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://aaep.org/post/aaep-research-study-demonstrates-wearable-biometric-sensors-show-exciting-potential-for-injury-detection-in-racehorses/
2. Won C. Wearable biometric sensors show promise as horse injury detection system. American Veterinary Medical Assocation. May 18, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.avma.org/news/wearable-biometric-sensors-show-promise-horse-injury-detection-system?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news