The Varenne E! 114697 Eurostars project was successful in developing a product for everyday training and monitoring of the horses’ performance and welfare in harness racing.

The Varenne system is composed of a set of wireless IMUs (ProMove-V) that measure locomotion parameters such as speed, stride length, stride frequency, symmetry and regularity indices. Additionally, the system retrieves cardiac parameters (heart rate) from a Polar belt. All data is received in a synchronous manner by the Varenne box attached to the sulky.

The online user interface displays the heart rate, symmetry and pace of the measured horse. The interface can be also used for monitoring group training up to 12 horses. The data is shown for each individual horse to the main driver of the training group, to the trainer, or to other relevant stakeholder located anywhere in the world.

The post-measurement user interface illustrates the evolution of the measured parameters during training, including the heart rate, stride length and stride frequency. An interactive map allows the selection of certain time segments of the training route and the visualization of the corresponding parameters in the selected segment. Segments from different measurements of the same horse can be compared, such that the user can track the evolution of these parameters over time.

The Varenne box attached to a sulky. Photo credit: Rhana Aarts

Live view of the online interface (heart rate, speed, symmetry index) for a group of horses. Photo credit: Rhana Aarts

Live view of the online interface (heart rate, speed, symmetry index) for a group of horses, displayed on a tablet attached to the sulky of the main driver. Photo credit: Rhana Aarts

Interface for post-analysis, emphasis on the Varenne data and the interactive map.

Interface for post-analysis, with segment selection (left, bottom) and updated map (right) showing the selected segment in dark blue.

Group training with the Varenne monitoring system.

Group training with the Varenne monitoring system.