Equine sports medicine is evolving rapidly, driven by breakthroughs in technology, AI, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and clinical diagnostics. This Special Issue brings together eleven original and review articles that highlight both scientific progress and practical implications for the training, health, and welfare of equine athletes. Together, they illustrate how modern equine research is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary — and increasingly relevant to everyday practice.
Recent scientific advances are transforming equine sports medicine, offering new tools to support both performance and welfare. A newly published editorial brings together eleven studies that span biomechanics, exercise physiology, respiratory health, genetics, and clinical diagnostics — all pointing toward a more precise, humane, and evidence‑based future for the sport horse.
Researchers are developing markerless motion‑capture systems, allowing natural, field‑based gait analysis without intrusive equipment. New workload models integrate heart rate, lactate, and GPS data to better understand the demands of cross‑country courses. Studies on tack design, including girth tension and saddle pressure, provide practical insights into comfort and long‑term soundness.
Physiological research highlights biomarkers that may help detect oxidative stress and early signs of overtraining, while clinical studies explore links between dental health and gastric pH. Breeding research offers new data on heritable conformational traits, and gait‑analysis studies clarify the difference between natural laterality and pathological asymmetry — a crucial distinction as technology becomes more sensitive.
Respiratory health remains a major welfare focus. New work shows how exercise‑enhanced diagnostics can improve the detection of mild asthma, supporting earlier and more accurate intervention.
Together, these studies reflect a clear trend: non‑invasive, field‑ready, technology‑driven tools that help us understand the horse more deeply — and protect its welfare more effectively.
Blake R, Marlin D. From Biomechanics to Welfare: Integrative Advances in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Animals (Basel). 2025;15(18):2706. Published 2025 Sep 15. doi:10.3390/ani15182706
