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.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The exciting thing is that this is the first in a whole line of upgrades.”
![Horseware APP Image 1[1]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uYPC8Mnp7C6zZX5LeM3qWA-630-80.jpg.webp)
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
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
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.