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As the thunder of horses and chuckwagons fills Stampede Park each July, two researchers from the (UCVM) work behind the scenes to better understand what happens to horses during competition and how that knowledge can improve their health and welfare.

, PhD, a professor of at the university, and , DVM, PhD, a UCVM professor, lead complementary research programs during the Ģ����ý Stampede that examine both the external and internal demands placed on horses during racing. Together, their work is helping transform how equine performance is measured, using advanced technology to collect real-world data from the track.

Reading the track through every stride

For Pfau, the research begins beneath the horse's hooves.

His team studies how the condition of the racing surface influences the way horses move at high speed. Throughout Stampede, students, postdoctoral researchers and other members of his research group headed to the track each evening before racing began to measure moisture levels, firmness and the overall quality of the surface.

Using specialized equipment alongside wearable motion sensors, the team examined how changes in the track affect stride length, stride frequency and overall movement.

"The track is much more than the ground the horses run on. Every change in moisture or firmness can influence how a horse moves,” says Pfau. “By measuring those conditions objectively, we can better understand performance and identify opportunities to improve horse welfare."

Even small differences in surface conditions can influence how horses interact with the ground, potentially affecting both performance and injury risk. By understanding these relationships, the researchers hope to provide evidence that can help inform track preparation and improve equine safety.

Looking beyond the finish line

While Pfau studies how horses move, Léguillette focuses on decreasing cardiac risk during racing.

His team screened horses for heart muscle damage using blood samples collected each morning, approximately 12 hours after each race. They also monitored horses throughout Stampede using wearable technology with belts and sensors that provided ECG (electrical activity of the heart), heart-rate and stride monitoring during competition.

The research allows scientists to assess how horses respond to repeated high-intensity exercise and identify animals that may be at greater risk of developing cardiac problems.

"Our goal is to prevent racing accidents due to cardiac issues and to better understand what separates normal recovery from early signs that something may be wrong," says Léguillette.

By following hundreds of horses over multiple races, the researchers are building one of the most comprehensive datasets on equine cardiovascular health collected during an active racing event. These results are also used to develop screening protocols in other racing jurisdictions over the world.

The work also explores an important question in equine medicine. Horses that appear to experience a sudden collapse or severe lameness during racing may not have a primary heart problem. Instead, physiological monitoring could help researchers identify other underlying conditions that place stress on the body before clinical signs become apparent.

Improving horse welfare through science

Although they study different aspects of performance, Pfau and Léguillette share a common goal of improving horse welfare through objective measurement.

By combining information about track conditions, biomechanics, heart function and recovery, the researchers are creating a more complete picture of how horses perform under the demanding conditions of the Ģ����ý Stampede.

Their work reflects a growing shift in veterinary research toward wearable technology, field-based data collection and evidence-driven approaches that allow horses to be studied where they compete.

Ultimately, the research aims to support informed decisions that help keep horses healthy while advancing the science behind one of Canada's most iconic sporting events.