The Wake-Up Call: Why the Horse Industry Needs to Go Digital — Now
The equestrian industry is standing at a crossroads.
Recent headlines — including the powerful Horse & Hound article and Professor Patrick Wall’s government-commissioned report — have thrown much-needed light on deep, systemic issues around traceability, welfare, and accountability in the horse world. From horse meat scandals to falsified passports and welfare breaches, the message is clear: our industry’s current systems aren’t good enough.
And while the findings are hard to read, they bring hope — because real change is finally on the table.
The Problem Isn’t New — But the Tech to Solve It Is
Other industries have already faced similar crises. Healthcare, for example, went through years of pain trying to digitise patient records, manage consent, and ensure data privacy — often without the right tools or unified systems. Mistakes were made. But they learned, evolved, and transformed.
The equine industry now finds itself in a comparable moment.
We’ve relied for too long on fragmented paperwork, inconsistent databases, and outdated processes that make it far too easy for horses to fall through the cracks — both in terms of welfare and traceability. It's a system ripe for reform.
What’s Needed Now? Smart, Connected, Digital Infrastructure
Professor Wall’s report doesn’t mince words. He calls for a centralised, real-time digital platform with mobile access, DNA verification, QR-coded passports, and better oversight — all of which are not only achievable but already built into Equiyd.
We designed Equiyd to be proactive, not reactive — a platform that anticipates where the industry needs to go, rather than where it’s already been.
Our system already addresses many of the report’s key recommendations, including:
- Lifetime digital identity for every horse
- Ownership and movement tracking
- Real-time access via mobile tools
- Links to veterinary records, passports, and more
- Simple, shareable records to reduce fraud and improve welfare outcomes
The Industry Is Waking Up — Let’s Not Hit Snooze
It’s clear: regulators, professionals, and the public are ready for a smarter, more transparent equine ecosystem. But we can’t afford to wait for another exposé or inquiry. We need to build future-proof systems now — before the next crisis, not after.
At Equiyd, we’re excited to be part of that future. We’re already speaking with studbooks, welfare organisations, insurers, and governing bodies about how to integrate, align, and digitise for the benefit of every horse.
Let’s Talk
If you’re part of the equine world — whether you’re a breeder, rider, vet, yard owner, governing body, or policymaker — we’d love to talk to you.
Let’s learn from the mistakes of other industries. Let’s digitise with purpose. Let’s do right by our horses.
Reach out to us to learn more on how Equiyd can support your horses, your business, and the future of the industry.