Digital Horse Records: Revolutionising Care On and Off- the- Track

Jan 16

8 min read

The story of HorseRecords App begins with a simple problem faced by a horse owner—a problem that many in the equine world can relate to: how to manage and store detailed horse records effectively.

The founder of HorseRecords Andy Ide, a software engineer by trade, married into a family deeply involved in the horse industry. His wife Kim, an experienced horse breeder and owner, had a long history of working with horses and was meticulous about tracking important details for each one. However, despite her commitment, she was struggling with the traditional methods of record-keeping.

His wife Kim shared her frustration to Andy, as the notebooks she had been using to track important information about her horses were degrading over time, and filing them was becoming a cumbersome task. Whiteboards, though handy for short-term use, only offered a snapshot of the current situation and were easily wiped clean, making them unreliable for long-term record-keeping. She also found herself constantly relying on her memory, which, despite being sharp, sometimes failed her—especially when she needed to recall details about a horse she had bred 15 years ago or a specific aspect of training that happened years prior.

Kim Ide with her horse Sunny. (Photo: HorseRecords)

In that moment, she asked her husband for help: could he create a system that allowed her to record everything about her horses, in a way that was easily accessible and lasting?

Being a dutiful husband and someone who listened attentively to his wife's needs, the founder took the request to heart. With his background in software engineering, he set out to build a solution that would help his wife—and others in the equine community—keep track of essential horse-related information in a digital format.

Over the course of the next few years, he created a tool—a digital record-keeping system that would allow his wife to easily document and access detailed horse records, from performance and veterinary care to breeding and training schedules. The system worked perfectly for their own use, simplifying horse management in ways that notebooks and whiteboards never could.

But his wife saw something more. She recognised the potential of this tool not just for their own use, but for others in the equine world who might be facing the same challenges. Encouraged by her support, the founder decided to take the next step: to refine the tool and offer it to the wider horse community.

Thus, HorseRecords was born.

Interface of HorseRecords (Photo: HorseRecords)

What started as a simple solution for managing personal horse records has grown into a powerful platform that serves horse owners, breeders, trainers, and businesses nationwide. HorseRecords allows users to easily track everything from health and performance data to training, nutrition, and breeding information—all in one accessible, digital space. It offers a streamlined, reliable way to manage horse records, providing the equine industry with a much-needed tool to ensure proper care, compliance, and efficiency.

The journey from a simple request for a better way to store horse records to the creation of HorseRecords illustrates the power of combining practical experience with technical expertise. What began as a solution for one horse owner has evolved into a tool that is helping thousands of people across the industry manage their equine operations with ease.

For the tech nerds, the HorseRecords is run on a Django application running on a stack of Nginx, Gunicorn and Postgres with the aim of being a comprehensive horse husbandry application.

Mastering Horse Management: The Importance of Keeping Detailed Horse Records

Owning and caring for horses is a rewarding but demanding responsibility. Whether you’re a competitive rider, breeder, or simply someone who enjoys the companionship of these magnificent animals, the amount of information you need to track is substantial. From their health and performance to their training and breeding history, keeping detailed records is essential for the well-being of your horse and the success of your equine endeavours.

Why Keeping Detailed Records Matters

The importance of record-keeping in horse management cannot be overstated. Properly tracking various aspects of your horse’s life ensures that you can quickly identify any issues that arise, monitor their health over time, and make informed decisions about their care, training, and breeding. Good record-keeping also plays a critical role in compliance with industry regulations and helps maintain continuity if a horse changes ownership or is sold.

Key Horse Information to Track

There are several categories of information every horse owner should track to ensure optimal care and management. Below are the most essential areas to focus on:

1. Demographic Information

Every horse should have basic demographic details recorded, such as:

Horse’s name (and stable name, if applicable)
Foaling date and age
Breed, gender, and colour
Microchip number and markings for identification purposes

This information is important for identifying your horse, especially in cases of theft or emergency. It also helps when researching a horse’s lineage or pedigree, which can be valuable for breeders or competitive owners.

Additionally, tracking the Property Identification Code (PIC) of the property where your horse is stabled can become increasingly important with new legislation, such as the Horse Traceability Project in Australia. (Source: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/horses/horse-traceability/horse-traceability-frequently-asked-questions)

2. Vital Signs and Health Monitoring

Regular monitoring of your horse’s vital signs can help detect early signs of illness or discomfort. Key metrics to track include:

Temperature: A high or low temperature can indicate illness.
Respiration rate: An elevated rate can suggest stress or respiratory issues.
Body condition: Regular assessments of weight and overall condition are crucial.
Appetite, drinking, and manure composition: Changes here can signal health problems.
Lameness or soundness: Tracking any limping or joint issues over time helps detect underlying problems early.

3. Routine Care and Maintenance

Horses require various forms of care on a regular basis, and keeping records of these routines is crucial:

Farrier visits: Document the dates of shoeing, trimming, and any special treatment.
Worming schedules: With the rise of drug-resistant worms, faecal egg counts (FEC) can help determine the appropriate timing and type of worming treatment.
Dental check-ups: Horses need regular dental care to avoid issues like sharp points, which can interfere with eating and performance.
Vaccinations: Record the dates and types of vaccinations your horse has received, such as for tetanus or Hendra virus, to stay up to date and ensure protection against disease.

Tracking these details ensures your horse receives proper and timely care, helping prevent common health issues from escalating.

4. Training and Performance Tracking

Training plays an important role in developing a horse’s abilities and ensuring they’re ready for competition or other tasks. Keeping a log of your horse’s training sessions can provide valuable insight:

Training goals: Document the skills or milestones you're focusing on.
Training frequency: Track how often your horse trains to ensure they aren’t overworked.
Progress notes: Record improvements, challenges, and any notable observations.
Performance records: Whether for competitions or work, keeping a record of performance results is essential.

These records help you evaluate your horse’s progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide prospective buyers with a detailed history if you ever choose to sell.

5. Feeding and Nutrition

A horse’s diet is a critical part of its overall health. Keeping a record of your horse’s feeding schedule and any changes to its diet can help identify links between nutrition and health or performance.

Daily feed intake: Track the type and quantity of feed provided.
Supplements and special diets: Note any dietary changes or supplements used.
Weight fluctuations: Record weight changes, which could indicate health or feeding issues.

A comprehensive feed record can help you manage your horse’s weight and condition more effectively.

6. Pedigree and Breeding Information

For those involved in breeding, keeping detailed pedigree records is essential. Knowing the lineage of your horse can influence breeding decisions and provide potential buyers with valuable information. Information to track includes:

Pedigree details: Record the horse’s parentage and any notable achievements in its lineage.
Breeding cycles: Document breeding dates, mare scans, and foaling outcomes.
Progeny records: Track offspring performance and any health issues that may be passed down.

This information is important for breeders and can also help with marketing horses for sale, as buyers often seek out well-documented horses with strong pedigrees.

7. Multimedia Records (Photos and Videos)

With the prevalence of smartphones and digital cameras, it's easy to snap photos and videos of your horse’s progress. Keeping a visual record can be incredibly helpful, but it’s important to ensure that these images are stored securely:

Photos: Take regular photos to track your horse’s physical condition and progress.
Videos: Record training sessions or performances for later analysis and reference.
Important documents: Store digital copies of registration certificates, health reports, and other official documents.

8. Gear and Tack

Keeping a record of the gear and tack you use for each horse is essential, particularly when managing multiple horses or disciplines. Tracking the type of tack, its condition, and when it was last used can help you maintain the best equipment for each horse’s needs.

Tools to Simplify Record-Keeping

While keeping records on paper or spreadsheets can work, it’s easy for details to get lost or forgotten. A more efficient solution is using digital tools specifically designed for equine record-keeping. Software like HorseRecords allows you to:

Access records in real time: Whether at the stable or on the go, you can update and access information instantly.
Store all data in one place: From vital signs to training schedules, everything is stored in a centralized location.
Track trends: Over time, you can spot patterns in your horse’s health, training, and performance.

By streamlining record-keeping, these tools save you time, reduce human error, and help you provide the best care for your horses.

"HorseRecords allows you to know all the information for your horse for its entire life. In an ideal world, every horse will have its health and activities records from foaling to its retirement. Knowledge is power and the knowledge your record in HorseRecords ensures you need to provide the best care for your much loved equine for all it's life." Says Andy.

HorseRecords partnership with Racing Queensland

The Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program has launched nine major initiatives to date.

One of their most popular initiatives, the QOTT Clubhouse, provides support and opportunities for owners of retired racehorses to connect in Queensland.

“It’s an honour to be helping ex-racehorses find their new career. I love that folks are recording things like the feed changes as their horse moves from a racing diet to a paddock diet. I also love seeing the horses out again winning ribbons for their riders. It’s so good to have such a strong relationship with the state racing bodies ensuring these ex-racehorses are looked after for the rest of their lives.”, says Andy.

Members have access to accredited education courses and seminars, competitions and discounts, thanks to QOTT Clubhouse partners. The Clubhouse, as part of QOTT’s ongoing commitment to improve data collection and close the knowledge gap on the ownership and location of former racehorses in Queensland, incentivises owners to register their retired racehorses with QOTT.

As part of the QOTT Clubhouse initiative, QOTT has partnered with HorseRecords to provide QOTT Clubhouse members with: