‘StrideSAFE’ Horse Safety will be introduced as part of the track’s Equine Wellness Program in the 2023 racing season, and prominent Thoroughbred owner James McIngvale has pledged to donate two-thirds of the funding to testing Thoroughbreds.
StrideSAFE is ‘a small biometric device that penetrates the fabric to detect minute changes in the horse’s gait at high speeds.’ These changes are said to be imperceptible to the eye and are marked in bright-green across the spectrum, varying amber as warnings of potential complications and deformities and red for severe injuries.
In a study conducted by the New York Racing Association of 6,600 starters in 2022, it was reported that StrideSAFE technology detected 90% of all serious injuries. Rillito’s research aims to identify horses that Track Regulatory Veterinarians should assess before racing.
Testing of 1,000 Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses at the convention is estimated to cost $45,000. Although the technology has been used for Thoroughbreds until now, Quarter Horses will be included in Rillito. Following this study, American Quarter Horse tracks can use StrideSAFE sensors across the country.
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This entry was posted in Shared News and tagged biometric sensors, Horse Welfare, Horse Wellness, James McIngvale, Rillito Park, StrideSAFE.
