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Digital transformation in agriculture makes horse management technology available for farmers and veterinaries. This work compiles an overview of sensor systems currently available in Germany, discussing their usefulness and opportunities for improvement from a user‘s perspective. The systems have been identified by market and literature review and later categorized by their place of deployment, either in the stable, on the pasture or directly attached to the horse. Examples for subgroups show similar choices in technical specification like the built-in sensors, connectivity options and user interfaces. To gain further insights to the practicability of those systems, a survey has been conducted with German users of sensor systems in horse keeping. The questionnaire reflects on advantages and disadvantages in the use of the sensor systems. The results show that networking of the individual systems on farm-level would be desirable from the user‘s point of view. However, a solution that combines the different sensors and their data on farm level is not available. Thus, it is difficult for farmers to collect and aggregate their data. As a solution, open-source broker models are suggested, to act as middleware. They can integrate data from sensor-systems as well as external data sources. All the desired information can be displayed to end-users in customized user interfaces tailored to the individual stable or farm. With this kind of middleware, cyber-physical-systems can be built implementing a control-layer to automate tasks and documentation. Like this, farmers are supported to invest their know-how and time, only where it is most needed.

Farm Management Information Systems and Wireless Sensor Networks can help German dairy farmers cope with rising complexity, documentation and animal health requirements. However, review and expert interviews with German farmers show that available solutions mostly are standalone systems. They lack compatibility with other technologies like already existing Information Systems and automation technology in dairy stables (e.g. climate-control, energy management or robotic milking). Farmers and researchers wish for a solution that integrates sensor systems, the control of actuators and existing information systems on dairy farms into one central information- and control-system. Moreover, an option to provide customized user interfaces to different stakeholders is required. This research shows, that a digital broker model as middleware offers manufacturer-independent opportunities to integrate existing information systems, wide arrays of different sensors and data transmission technologies. It further takes care of data management issues. The example of the TUM dairy research farm is shown, where a broker model is being implemented for research and teaching. Results show, that a broker model is a powerful tool to overcome most compatibility and connectivity issues and provides the desired solutions. However special aspects regarding connectivity must be taken into consideration on a dairy farm. Different transmission technologies are needed for different tasks, as a dairy farm offers very diverse conditions for IoT technology implementation. Customized user interfaces can be provided. Research is necessary regarding regulatory issues, and manufacturers need to be won over by the benefits of these systems, so that an integration of their technologies is facilitated.

In consequence of increasing workloads and the pressure to rationalize the workload in combination with increasing quality requirements of consumers, German dairy farms often invest in automation of single production processes. However, these automatic mechatronic systems are limited in their potential. As the more and more intelligent systems are not able to communicate among themselves. In this context, the approach of a cyber-physical system leads to new possibilities of product and process quality. The connection of all/several mechatronic subsystems causes to a more flexible production process which can adjust and optimise the production regarding external influences to the system. This results in an reduction of workload, automatic documentation and traceability of the product during the production process. Risks arise from the system itself. Hence, an appropriate user interface is necessary to control the system. For this, the farmer must be able to define boundaries in which the system can run on its own and where human authorisation is necessary.