New Atlas

Wearables Audio available

"Smart" equestrian boots give errant feet a buzz

Ben Coxworth December 3, 2018

In equestrian riding, it's important to keep one's heels pointing downward within the stirrups – if the heels move up, the rider has less control. This can be difficult to learn, however, which is why Gallop Equine has created the sensor-packin' Bluetooth-connected SmartBoot.

The SmartBoot is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign

Pets

Clip-on shoes let horses clip-clop in comfort

Nick Lavars October 14, 2016

The team behind Megasus Horserunners has launched a crowdfunding campaign for a horseshoe alternative it says will allow for more natural hoof movements, and can be easily clipped on and taken off as required.

The shock-absorbing Megasus Horserunner weighs less than half a pound

Science

Peculiar gait of smooth-moving horses pinned on medieval genetic mutation

Nick Lavars August 9, 2016

Scientists have traced the origins of the ambling horse back to medieval England, where the knights' penchant for the pleasant four-rhythm saunter and the selective breeding that followed instigated the global spread of the gaited horse.

The roots of ambling horses have been traced back to medieval England

Medical

Robot-driven CT scanner can image standing, conscious horses

Chris Wood May 3, 2016

A project taking place at the University of Pennsylvania is looking to revolutionize how CT scans of large animals are taken, using two robotic arms that move around the horse while it’s upright and conscious.

The technology could allow doctors to spot dangerous injuries before they have a chance to endanger ...

Outdoors

Horse-riding safety device brings new meaning to the term "tail light"

David Szondy November 19, 2015

It may look like a bit of disco bling for the equestrian set, but the Tail Lights Rider Safety System has a very serious purpose.

It may look showy, but the Tail Lights System is intended to warn motorists of horses ...

Pets

Performance-tracking gadget has real horse sense

Ben Coxworth November 4, 2015

Looking for an objective measure of your horse's performance? Well, that's where Balios comes in. It's a saddle-mounted gadget that tracks the movements of your trusty steed.

Balios is mounted on the saddle, and displays data on a paired mobile device

Good Thinking

Artist creates animated life-size Mechanical Horse

Ben Coxworth April 9, 2015

As a child, Brooklyn-based metal sculptor Adrian Landon played with Lego a lot. He also learned about horses from his polo-playing dad. That background set the stage for Landon's latest work of art, a stainless steel life-size Mechanical Horse that gallops in slow motion at the press of a button.

The galloping Mechanical Horse, caught in motion (Photo: Adrian Landon)

Outdoors

Ridersmate calls for help if you wipe out in the wilderness

Ben Coxworth January 23, 2015

If you regularly take off into the hinterlands on a bike or horse, there's a chance you could crash and not be able to summon help. That's why David Coleman developed the Ridersmate. If you fall off your bike/horse, it automatically sends a text message to let people know that something's amiss.

The Ridersmate connects you to your ride, and sends an alert if you fall off

3D Printing

3D-printed titanium horseshoes could win by a nose

David Szondy October 20, 2013

Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has created a set of bespoke titanium horseshoes for a Melbourne race horse using additive 3D printing. According to CSIRO, this is a first for horse racing and demonstrates the potential for the technology.

CSIRO printed a set of four bespoke racing horseshoes in a few hours