GPS Tracking for Horses: Comparing the Top Devices Available in NZ
We compare five GPS tracking devices suitable for horses in New Zealand, evaluating coverage, battery life, durability, and real-world performance across different terrain.
GPS tracking devices for horses serve two primary purposes: locating animals in large paddocks or backcountry stations, and recording ride data for training analysis. The technology has improved substantially, but choosing the right device for New Zealand conditions requires careful consideration.
What We Tested
We evaluated five GPS trackers over a three-month period across farms in the Waikato, Canterbury high country, and coastal Northland. Our criteria were signal reliability, battery endurance, physical durability, and the quality of the companion app.
Key Findings
Coverage Matters Most
The single most important factor for NZ horse owners is cellular coverage. Most GPS trackers rely on mobile networks to transmit location data. In urban and peri-urban areas, all five devices performed well. In the high country and remote stations, only devices with satellite fallback options maintained consistent tracking.
Battery Life Varies Dramatically
Claimed battery life ranged from 3 days to 3 weeks. In practice, real-world performance was typically 60-70% of manufacturer claims. Cold temperatures, frequent location pings, and poor signal (which forces the device to search harder for a connection) all drain batteries faster.
For station horses that may go days between checks, look for devices offering at least 10 days of real-world battery life with hourly location updates.
Durability Is Non-Negotiable
Every device we tested was exposed to rain, mud, and the general rigours of being attached to a horse. Two of the five devices showed water ingress issues within the first month. IP67 or higher waterproofing is essential, and the attachment method matters — collar-mounted units proved more reliable than halter-clip designs.
Our Recommendations
- For station and farm use: Choose a satellite-capable device with extended battery life, even at the cost of real-time tracking frequency.
- For ride tracking and training: A Bluetooth-connected device paired with your phone GPS offers the best balance of accuracy and data richness.
- For high-value horses: Consider a dedicated livestock tracker with geofencing alerts, so you are notified the moment a horse leaves a defined area.
The GPS tracking space is evolving quickly. We will update this comparison as new devices enter the NZ market.
