Identifying sub-optimal performance in a race animal

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for and a method of identifying sub- optimal performance in a race animal, such as a race horse.

The present invention also relates to apparatus for and a method of measuring performance of a rider on an animal.

Background art

Horses fatigue during racing and this is of interest to the racing industry for several reasons.

Firstly, horses that are fatigued may be at a greater risk of suffering musculoskeletal injury.

Secondly, horses are sometimes ridden in races not with the aim of winning, but of acclimatising to the racing process or improving odds for a subsequent race.

Thirdly, horses sometimes suffer injury during a race. This can occur for a number of reasons, such as interference from another horse or jockey, or due to poor racecourse design, broken equipment or a poorly-maintained surface. Identifying the location on the track or stage where the injury was sustained or began to be incurred can be valuable for identifying the cause of the injury for preventing injury in the future or even for attributing blame.

It is known to determine whether a horse is trying by measuring metabolic indicators, such as blood lactate. However, this test is usually carried out at the end of the race. It is not practical to take samples during the race, when it might be more helpful to find out whether the horse is underperforming.

It is also known to measure horse performance using a system which can record and obtain characteristics such as stride rate, stride length, speed, time and environment.

Case: PJP/53653PCT1

Data is transferred to a personal computer for analysis and for obtaining graphs of stride frequency. However, such a system is not particularly suited to race conditions. Moreover, the system could be improved as a training aid.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved apparatus for and method of identifying sub-optimal performance in a race animal.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for identifying sub-optimal performance in a race animal comprising means for measuring a gait-dependent characteristic of the race animal, means for measuring a speed-dependent characteristic of the animal and means for processing data, the data processing means configured to receive and process said gait-dependent characteristic and speed-dependent characteristic in a predetermined manner so as to identify a physiological condition in the race animal.

Using both a gait-dependent characteristic, such a stride frequency, and a speed- dependent characteristic, such as speed, provides a more accurate indicator of performance. These measurements can be conveniently processed in a predetermined manner which allows sub-optimal performance to be identified automatically and in real time.

The data processing means may be configured to receive and process the gait- dependent characteristic and the speed-dependent characteristic in real time so as to identify the physiological condition of the race animal while the race animal is performing.

The gait-dependent characteristic may be a stride-related characteristic, such as stride frequency or maximum acceleration, or orientation-related characteristic, such as pitch. The gait-related characteristic measuring means may comprise an accelerometer. The gait-related characteristic measuring means may comprises a transmitter, at least four spaced receivers and a processor, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon signal having a predetermined structure, the at least

four spaced receivers are each configured to receive the beacon signal and measure frequency and to forward the frequency to the processor and the processor configured to receive frequency for the beacon signal and to determine a change in Doppler shift. The gait related characteristic measuring means may comprise a gyroscope.

The speed-dependent characteristic may be speed of the race animal or time for the race animal to cover a given section. The speed measuring means may comprise a global positioning system receiver. The speed-dependent characteristic measuring means may comprise a transmitter, at least four spaced receivers and a processor wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon signal having a predetermined structure, the at least four spaced receivers are each configured to receive the beacon signal and measure time of arrival, phase relationship and/or frequency of the signal and to forward the time of arrival, phase relationship and/or frequency to the processor and the processor is configured to receive time of arrival, phase relationship and/or frequency for the beacon signal and to determine the speed. The beacon signal may comprise first and second frequency components having a frequency spacing there between.

The apparatus may comprise a remote unit for the race animal comprising the gait- related characteristic measuring means, means for encoding the stride frequency in a signal, means for wireless transmitting the signal, a plurality of receivers for receiving the signal comprising, means for wirelessly receiving the signal and a base unit comprising the data processing means. The remote unit may further comprise the speed measuring means. The speed measuring means may be provided by the signal transmitting and receiving means and data processing means.

The data processing means may be configured to output a signal to a user to indicate presence of the predetermined physiological condition.

The predetermined physiological condition may be fatigue or injury.

The race animal may be a horse.

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The processing means may be configured to process said gait-dependent characteristic and speed-dependent characteristic in the predetermined manner by deriving a parameter from measured gait data and multiplying the parameter by a factor which depends on the speed-dependent characteristic.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of identifying sub-optimal performance in a race animal comprising processing gait- dependent characteristic and speed-dependent characteristic of the race animal in a predetermined manner so as to identify a physiological condition in the race animal.

The present invention seeks to provide apparatus for and a method of measuring performance of a rider on a race animal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for measuring performance of a rider on an animal comprising means for sensing motion of the rider, means for processing data, wherein the data processing means configured to identify excessive motion and to output a signal dependent upon a degree of excessive motion.

Thus, riding action of the rider may be assessed and steps may be taken, if necessary, to improve riding action.

The motion sensing means may be an accelerometer or some other local sensing means which is carried by the rider.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for measuring performance of a rider on an animal comprising first means for sensing motion of the rider, second means for sensing motion of the animal, means for processing data and the data processing means configured to determine cost to the animal of carrying the rider and to output a signal dependent upon the cost.

Thus, riding action of the rider may be assessed and steps may be taken, if necessary, to improve riding action.

The first and second motion sensing means may be accelerometers or some other local sensing means carried by the rider and horse.

The apparatus may further comprise means for providing feedback to the rider.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of measuring performance of a rider on an animal, the method comprising sensing motion of the rider, identifying excessive motion of the rider and outputting a signal dependent upon a degree of excessive motion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of measuring performance of a rider on an animal, the method comprising sensing motion of the rider, sensing motion of the animal, determining cost to the animal of carrying the rider and outputting a signal dependent upon the cost.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storing the computer program.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a race horse carrying a monitoring and reporting device; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of apparatus for identifying sub-optimal performance in a race horse including a monitoring and reporting device, a receiver and a data processing device;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the monitoring and reporting device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a beacon signal;

Figure 5 illustrates data for inclusion in the beacon signal shown in Figure 4 or other transmitted or stored signal;

Figure 6a is a first example of a message transmitted by a receiver to a data processing device;

Figure 6b is a second example of a message transmitted by a receiver to a data processing device Figure 7 illustrates a computer system for providing the data processing device;

Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of the data processing device;

Figure 9 is a process flow diagram of a method of identifying sub-optimal performance in a race horse in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 is a process flow diagram of a first method of measuring performance of a rider on an animal in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 11 is a process flow diagram of a second method of measuring performance of a rider on an animal in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention Referring to Figure 1, a horse 1 and jockey 2 are shown. The horse 1 carries a monitoring and reporting device 3 mounted on or close to its saddle 4. The device may be mounted in front or behind the saddle 4, under the girth G or elsewhere on the horse 1. The device 3 may be attached e.g. secured by strap. In some embodiments, the device 3 may simply sit in a pocket. The device 3 measures, among other things, acceleration and transmits a signal 5 which allows speed and position of the horse 1 to be measured using a tracking system based on time-of- flight, phase relationship and/or Doppler techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the device 3 may measure speed and position, for example using a Global Positioning System (GPS) module. The signal 5 is used to transmit measurement data.

Acceleration and/or orientation is (are) used to find a gait-dependent characteristic, such as stride frequency, stride length, maximum acceleration or variations in pitch.

As will be explained in more detail later, the gait-dependent characteristic and a speed-dependent characteristic, such as speed or section time, of the horse 1 are used to determine whether the horse 1 is fatigued or identify some other physiological condition.

The jockey 2 may also carry a monitoring and reporting device 6 similar to the device 3 carried by the horse 1 which measures acceleration and measures —or transmits a signal which allows measurement of— speed and position of the jockey 2. As will also be explained in more detail later, analysing motion of the jockey 2 and, optionally, the horse 1 can ascertain whether the jockey 2 is riding well and by determining a figure of merit, feedback can be given to the jockey to improve their riding action. If the jockey 2 has a good riding action, then the horse 1 can perform to the same level using less effort. During training and, if permitted, during a race, the jockey 2 may carry a communications device 7 connected to an earpiece 8 which can provide feedback to the jockey 2.

The horse 1 and/or jockey 2 may carry sensors 9 _{l 3} 9 ₂ , 9 ₃ such as a device 9 ₁ for taking an electrocardiogram recording, an accelerometer 9 ₂ attached, for example, to the head H of the horse 1 and/or an accelerometer 9 ₃ attached to a whip, W.

Referring to Figure 2, apparatus 10 for identifying sub-optimal performance in the horse 1 (Figure 1) in accordance with the present invention is shown.

The apparatus 10 includes a plurality of receivers 11 for receiving the signal 5 and a data processing system 12 which provides a tracking system for determining the position and speed of the device 3 and, hence, the horse 1 using time-of- flight and/or Doppler techniques. Preferably, the device 3 is within range of at least four receivers 11 at any point on the track or other area of exercise.

An example of a device for transmitting a suitable signal and a system for tracking the device are described in WO-A-0241029, which is incorporated herein by reference. In WO-A-0241029, a mobile tag transmits a signal including a pair of tones to receivers having known positions. The phase difference between the pair

of tones received at each receiver is calculated and used as the basis for determining the position of the tag. Another example is a tracking system operated by Turftrax Racing Data Ltd. Preferably, the position and speed of the horse 1 are known to accuracies of or better than 10 m and 0.2 ms ⁴ respectively. Preferably, accuracy is continually maintained over a period of a few minutes, i.e. over the period of a race or training run. However, position need not be known.

The data processing system 12 also provides a feature identification and extraction system which can operate in real time, for example during a race or training.

As will be explained in more detail later, the system 12 takes stride frequency data, corrects the data for the speed of the horse 1 and incline of the course and checks whether a corrected stride frequency parameter passes predetermined thresholds and/or changes match a predetermined pattern indicative of a predetermined physiological condition, such as fatigue. The system 12 can output processed data 13 and/or a signal 14 which indicates that the presence of the physiological condition.

As will also be explained in more detail later, the system 12 may receive motion data for the horse 1 and jockey 2 and identify the phase between the horse 1 and jockey 2 and output additional data 15 about the how well the jockey 2 is riding the horse 1 (i.e. the quality of his or her "riding action") and a signal 16 indicative of how well the jockey 2 is riding the horse 1.

The apparatus 10 includes storage 17 for logging raw and/or processed data.

The apparatus 10 also includes a user interface device 18, for example in the form of a desk top, lap top or hand held computer, which can allow a race steward or trainer to monitor the processed data 13 and signal 14 and, if necessary, take appropriate action.

The user device 18 may be connected to a communications device 19 for transmitting the signal 16 as to how well the jockey 2 is riding the horse 1 to the jockey 2.

Referring to Figure 3, the monitoring and reporting device 3 includes a three-axis accelerometer 20 for measuring a stride-related parameter, a set of three orthogonally orientated magnetometers 21 for measuring orientation, respective bandpass filters 22 _l3 22 ₂ , respective analogue-to-digital converters 23 _l3 23 ₂ , a microcontroller 24 for processing , a radio module 25 and an antenna 26.

Additionally or alternatively to the radio module 25 and antenna 26, the device 3 may include storage 27 and an interface 28 for storing and downloading logged data offline. The radio module or a short range radio module (not shown), such as one conforming to Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 or ZigBee standard, may be used to download logged data. Some data may be transmitted in real time for real-time analysis, e.g. to provide a relatively coarse indication of fatigue or injury, such as "not fatigued" or "fatigued", or a scalar "risk" having a range of values, and further data may be logged and downloaded later for off-line analysis, e.g. to provide a more detailed analysis of fatigue or injury.

The device 3 may include a three-axis gyroscope 29 for measuring a turn-related parameter, such as pitch, and corresponding band pass filter 22 ₃ and analogue-to- digital converters 23 ₃ . The device 3 may also include a GPS module 30 for measuring speed and position. The device 3 may also have other sensors 31 and corresponding band pass filter 22 _t and analogue-to-digital converters 23 _t which may be mounted internally or externally to the rest of the device 3. If a sensor 31 is mounted externally, it may be connected to the microcontroller 25 by a wire link or wirelessly via the radio module 25.

Signals of interest tend to have frequency components up to 20 Hz. Therefore, the band pass filters 23 _{l 3} 23 ₂ may have an upper frequency cut off of about 50 Hz. Alternatively, 50 Hz low pass filters may be used. Data may be logged at 100 Hz.

In some embodiments, a gait-related characteristic, such as stride frequency, can be inferred from changes in speed, for example, by measuring changes in Doppler shift. Thus, the accelerometer 20 can be omitted and accelerometer data 40 need not be transmitted. Thus, stride frequency and speed can be determined remotely based upon signals 5 transmitted from the device 3 mounted on the horse 1.

Referring to Figure 4, the radio module 25 operates as a short-range, low-power radio transmitter in a 2.45 GHz licence-exempt band.

The module 25 repeatedly transmits the signal 5 (sometimes referred to as a

"chirp") about 5 times per second. Each chirp 5 includes an optional preamble 32, followed by a device identification and data transmission signal 33, first and second positioning tones 34, 35 at frequencies f _A respectively, and an optional postamble 36.

The tones 34, 35 are separated (i.e. f _A -f _B ) by 1.015625 MHz apart (i.e. approximately 300 m wavelength) and each has a fixed duration of approximately 1 ms. The tones 34, 35 are transmitted sequentially.

Referring to Figure 5, the device identification and data transmission signal 33 encodes a device identifier 37, a signal identifier 38, time stamp 39, accelerometer data 40 and other optional data such as magnetometer data 41, position data 42, velocity data 43 and other sensor data 44. A conventional coding and modulation method can be used.

Typically, about 10 bits are used to encode each data field. However, the number of bits required may vary depending on, for example, whether dynamic range selection is used in the microcontroller 24.

If position and velocity data 41, 42 are obtained using a GPS module 30 (Figure 3), then position tones 34, 35 can be omitted and other means of data transmission can be used, such as a telemetry devices.

Referring to Figure 6a, each receiver 11 (Figure 2) prepares a message 45 which includes a receiver ID 46, device ID 37, time 48 at which the signal 5 is received.

If positioning tones are used 34, 35, then the receiver 11 (Figure 2) makes suitable phase measurements including measuring phase slope as described in WO 02/41029 and includes phase slope measurements 49, 50, accelerometer data 40 and optional other data 43, 44 in the message 45.

Referring to Figure 6b, if positioning tones 34, 35 are not used, then the receiver 11 (Figure 2) can relay any received data 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 using the message 45.

The receiver 11 (Figure 2) may take other measurements such as received power of the signal 5 or power of tones 34, 35 within a signal 5.

The receiver 11 (Figure 2) transmits messages 45 for each signal 5 it receives from each horse 1.

Referring to Figure 7, the data processing system 12 (Figure 2) is implemented in software on a computer system 51. The computer system includes at least one processor 52, memory 53 and an input/output (I/O) interface 54 operatively connected by a bus 55. The I/O interface 54 is operatively connected to a network interface 56, storage 57 in the form of a hard disc drive or drives and, optionally, removable storage 58. Other elements, including peripheral devices such as keyboards (not shown) and displays (not shown), may be temporarily or permanently provided.

Computer program codes 59 which, when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to provide tracking and data processing processes are stored on the hard drive 57 and loaded into memory 53 for execution by the processor(s) 52. The computer program codes 59 may be stored on and transferred from removable storage 58 or through network interface 56 from a remote source (not shown).

Referring to Figure 8, the data processing system 12 includes a plurality of functional modules 60, 61, 62, 63. Operation of the modules 60, 61, 62, 63 will be described also with reference to Figure 9.

A data extraction module 60 receives messages 45 from the receivers 45 via a network and extracts data 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 (Figure 6a & 6b) from each message 45 (step Sl). If position and velocity data are not included in the message 45, then phase slope measurement data 49, 50 (Figure 6a) are passed to a position and velocity determination module 61 to determine position and velocity for example as described in WO-A-0241029 supra (step S2).

A gait-dependent parameter, in this example stride frequency, is extracted from acceleration data (step S3). For example, this may be obtained in the frequency domain by taking a Fast Fourier Transform or in the time domain by measuring period based on, for example, zero-crossing points or peak values, or by windowing, autocorrelation and peak detection.

A stride frequency compensation module 62 compensates the stride frequency for the speed of the horse (i.e. the magnitude of the velocity of the horse) and, optionally, for the incline of the course at that particular point (step S4).

Compensation is carried out using a predetermined regression relationship:

s _comp = α(v).β(θ).s (1)

where s is the measured stride-related characteristic, s _comp is the compensated stride- related characteristic and 0C(v) is a factor dependent on speed, v, and β(θ, v) is factor dependent on incline, θ, and speed, v. The factor CC(v) may be based on measurements for a group of horses or for a horse in question. The measurements may be taken earlier during the race or before the race and may be processed, e.g. by taking an average over several races. For example, stride frequency may increase by 0.02 strides s ^"1 for each increase in speed of 1 ms ^"1 . Preferably, OC (v) linearly depends on speed, v.

A value of compensated stride frequency is logged for comparison against later obtained values (step S6).

An analysis engine 63 analyses the current value of compensated stride frequency (steps S7 and S8). This may include comparing the compensated stride-related characteristic s _comp against upper and lower threshold values, s _hl and s _low . Additionally or alternatively, analysis may include comparing the compensated stride-related characteristic s _comp over time against a predetermined trend, for example using pattern recognition techniques, such as those based on Hidden Markov models (HMMs), or techniques such as dynamic time warping. Analysis may involve comparing the characteristic for the horse against characteristic for other horses and taking into account where the horse is located in the field or pack.

The data processing system 12 may be differently configured. For example, rather than extract a parameter from measurement data and then adjust the parameter to compensate for speed, etc., the data processing apparatus 12 may adjust the measurement data to compensate the speed and then extract compensated parameters from the compensated measurement data.

The data processing system 12 may use other signal processing techniques, such as those based on wavelet or Hubert transforms.

If the fatigue is detected, then a "fatigue" flag is set (step S9). The status of the flag and other processed data is then output and, optionally, stored (step Sl O).

If the flag is set to indicate that the horse is fatigued and so is not fit enough to continue to race or at risk of catastrophic injury, then a race steward or trainer can act upon this information.

Additionally or alternatively, if trying is detected, then a "lack of trying" flag is set.

The flag(s) and other processed data may be analysed for a horse at different stages of a race, for horses across the field in a single race, for a horse taking part in different races and for a group of horses in different races of varying distance and under varying ground conditions ("going").

Thus, the flag(s) and other processed data can be used during a race and/or presented at the end of a race.

The flag(s) and other processed data may be of interested to bookmakers, those interested in horse performance, such as trainers, owners, scientists and gamblers, racecourse and regulatory authorities. They may also be used as evidence in disputes.

Referring again to Figure 1, if sensors 9 ₂ , 9 ₃ (either in the form of slave devices which are connected to the monitoring and reporting devices 3, 6 or in the form of separate self-contained monitoring and reporting devices) are mounted elsewhere on the horse 1, jockey 2 and riding equipment W, then additional data can be gathered and analysed. For example, motion of a whip W may be monitored to determine the race animal is being over whipped or to evaluate the efficacy of whipping.

The data processing system 12 (Figure 2) may analyse gait of the horse 1 using information about its position, e.g. whether it is in front or at the back of the field, and may compensate accordingly. Moreover, the data processing system 12 (Figure 2) may analyse gait of the horse 1 using information about the horses around it, such as how close they are, their speed and whether it is overtaking (or being overtaken by) the horse 1.

Stride frequency is a useful gait-dependent characteristic. However, other characteristics which can be picked up using the accelerometer 20 (Figure 3) can be used, such as maximum acceleration.

Other characteristics which can be picked up using a gyroscope 29 (Figure 3) can also be used, such as pitch. In particular, as a horse 1 tires, it tends to "run ragged",

i.e. move more clumsily, and/or change its leading foot. This can be detected through changes in heading. In some embodiments, accelerometer data is supported or replaced with gyroscopic data.

More than one gait-dependent characteristic may be used, for example stride frequency and pitch. These may be analysed independently or may be combined in to a single parameter, if necessary, using suitable weightings.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, motion of the jockey 2 and, preferably, the horse 1 can be analysed to ascertain whether the jockey 2 is riding well, as will now be explained in more detail.

In some embodiments, the data processing system 12 analyses only acceleration data for the jockey 2 to evaluate their riding action and provides feedback to the jockey 2 to steady their motion.

Referring to Figure 9, the data processing system 12 inspects the values for the sagittal (or "forward") and lateral acceleration components (a _x , a _y ), determines how much each value deviates from zero and outputs a signal dependent on the deviation (steps SI l & 12). Non-zero values for sagittal and lateral components indicate that the jockey 2 is unsteady. Thus, a larger value indicates a less steady jockey 2.

The data processing system 12 also inspects the value for the vertical acceleration component (a ₂ ) and determines whether the magnitude of the vertical acceleration lies below a predetermined value, for example g (9.81 ms ⁴ ) and, if not, how much it exceeds the predetermined value and outputs a signal dependent on the excess (S13 & S14).

If a value rises above a desired value, then data processing system 12 feeds back the degree of excessive motion to the jockey 2, via transmitter and receiver 8, 19, through their earpiece 8 by varying the pitch of a tone and/or pattern of tones (steps S14). For example, the magnitude of excessive motion in the horizontal

plane may be indicated using the pitch of the tone. The magnitude of excessive motion in the vertical direction may be signalled using the frequency of repetition. Thus, if the jockey begins to sway or increases the amount of sway from side to side or back and forth, then this may be fed back to the jockey 2 by increasing the pitch of the tone. If the jockey 2 increases their vertical motion, then this may be signalled by increasing the rate of pips or beats.

In other embodiments, the data processing system 12 analyses acceleration data for both the jockey 2 and the horse 1 and provides feedback to the jockey 2 to minimise their load on the horse 2, i.e. to reduce the amount of work that the horse 1 needs to do and even to help the horse 1. This may be expressed in terms of a metabolic or physiological "cost".

For example, this may involve keeping a fixed phase relationship between the horse 1 and the jockey 2, preferably in anti-phase. Deviation in measured phase difference from a predetermined phase relationship is signalled through the earpiece, as described earlier.

Referring to Figure 10, the data processing system 12 extracts data for both the jockey 1 and horse 2 (step S16) and transforms motion of the jockey 1 into the frame of the reference frame of the horse 1 by taking the difference of the vectors for acceleration (step S17). The data processing system 12 doubly integrates the difference over a stride and a line integral taken so as to find the work performed by the jockey 2 (step S18). The data processing system 12 signals the magnitude of work is signalled through the earpiece, as described earlier, for example using pitch of a tone (step S 19). The jockey 2 seeks to lower the pitch of the tone and adjusts their riding action.

The data processing system 12 may use measurements using gyroscope(s) in addition to or instead of measurements from accelerometer(s). The data processing system 12 may additionally or alternatively use position measurements.

Providing feedback may be helpful not only for professional jockeys, but also for those learning to ride.

When gathering data on the motion of the jockey 2 and/or the horse 1, using accelerometers (or other suitable forms of sensor) and transmitting the data to a processing system or using a tracking/data processing system to follow a beacon signal has advantages over using video-based systems particularly in terms of flexibility of use, and freedom to move.

It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described. Although embodiments are described in which the race animal is a horse, the system and method may be used monitoring performance of other race animals which may or may not be ridden by a jockey or other form of rider, such as camel or dog, during a race or during training. It will be appreciated that where an animal is not ridden by a jockey or rider, then only data in relation to the animal is gathered and analysed. It will be appreciated the system and method may also be used to monitor performance of animals which do not race, but compete or perform in other ways such as in eventing. The animal could be a human and could be used to monitor, for example, a downhill skier.

Any logged data could be incorporated into a technical data pack that accompanied bloodstock when they come to market or when breeding is being planned. Thus, a data carrier, such as a CD or DVD could store logged data, together with information about the lineage of the horse (or other animal).