ENGLISH TEXTS
and we are continuing to improve the product towards video analysis without sensors, using AI.
G. How do veterinarians use this tool?
V. R. The tool is used in the context of investigating complex lameness cases, for example. The horse is equipped with the sensors, and the standard clinical examination is performed— trotting in a straight line, on hard ground, on soft ground, on a circle, followed by flexion tests. At that point, the sensors objectively measure the impact of the flexion, whether it’ s positive or not, and the same applies for diagnoses involving nerve blocks. It can also be used on a horse weekly to track its natural asymmetry data and detect long-term deterioration or early signs of pathologies. It’ s also useful post-treatment. You have the horse’ s data when it’ s lame, and then you can measure the return to normal very precisely. This allows for remote examinations with a veterinarian, who receives all the results directly on their software. Some clinics also use it as an educational tool for onboarding new vets or during training sessions on locomotor exams. It helps build a personal, documented, and filmed case library. This contributes to passing on knowledge from one generation of veterinarians to the next, and to storing referred cases.
G. Have you encountered any particular challenges?
V. R. The tool has been very well received by professionals. It’ s a new service they can offer their clients, which helps build loyalty. The only constraint is the time required for diagnosis, as it takes time to place the sensors on the horse. We took this into account and made it possible to use only three out of the seven sensors. The goal is to simplify the usage scenario and integrate it into our users’ routine.
G. What are your development prospects?
V. R. We always aim to add more innovation. The next step, which looks very promising, is using video alone, without placing any sensors, opening the door to a wide range of applications.
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GUILLAUME VITSE
BACK TO THE ARTICLE �
by Serge Okey
“ BREEDING IS NOT MATHEMATICS”
For the co-director of Normandie Breeding— this Norman stud farm performing wonders among the big leagues— progress goes hand in hand with benefits when it comes to video surveillance. But when it comes to breeding choices, Guillaume Vitse isn’ t ready to hand over the responsibility to algorithms— not if it means creating the next Unquestionable( Wootton Bassett), the pride of the Vitse couple since his victory in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.“ There’ s no way I’ m giving up my breeder’ s soul.”
Galorama. You’ re among those breeders who use new technologies for surveillance- when did you take the leap?
Guillaume Vitse. It’ s been two seasons now. And I have to say, it’ s surprisingly easy to use. We use Novo Stable. Honestly, it’ s great! No magnets or sensors needed. Once the boxes are closed, it’ s incredibly reassuring. We receive alerts in case of high activity. Sometimes it’ s a false alarm, but having this tool on hand to monitor the mares really brings peace of mind.
G. Do you feel the profession has fully embraced this digital shift?
G. V. No, that’ s not my general impression. In the U. S., they’ re much more connected. Way ahead of us. But over there, horses aren’ t just looked at, they’ re in constant action. Everything moves at full speed. Here, what’ s the value of a 400-meter time if they all went at a walk beforehand? For me, nothing will ever replace what you see with your own eyes.
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