Two out of a thousand racehorses die due to fractures sustained during training or racing. There are few warning signs, but researchers are working to change that.

In a recent study, Fitbit-like devices were embedded in saddle pads of racehorses to record movement, physical shock, vibration and gait imbalance. Between 2021 and 2024, these data were collected from nearly 12,000 thoroughbreds racing over 28,000 times across 10 U.S. racetracks. Among the 74 horses that died from catastrophic racing fractures, an AI model found crucial changes in movement patterns that were linked to a 45 times higher risk of fracture. Insufficient bone remodeling is also visible on new mobile advanced-imaging scanners.

Using advanced technology, horses at risk can be kept out of training to allow their bones to heal.