INVENT 2025 Finalist: Equilyze

Founders name: Ben Sloan and Thomas Lowry

What was the “aha” moment that sparked your idea?

Equilyze began with a conversation at home. Ben’s mother, Kerry Sloan, a competitive dressage rider, often spoke about the frustration of rider asymmetry. In lessons a trainer could correct her, but when riding alone she had no way of knowing if she was balanced. Over time this created strain for both her and her horse.

Ben realised this was not just a personal frustration but a widespread problem with no practical solution. With his engineering background, and alongside Thomas Lowry’s software expertise, the idea for a Smart Numnah that provides riders with instant, independent feedback was born.

The Problem We Solve:

Rider asymmetry is difficult to detect without a trainer, expensive to correct, and harmful to horse health. Equilyze addresses this by embedding sensors directly into the numnah, delivering continuous feedback through a rider’s smartwatch or phone to improve performance and protect horse wellbeing.

What is your background?

Background:

Equilyze was born from a personal challenge: co-founder Ben Sloan’s mother, Kerry Sloan, an experienced dressage rider, struggled with rider asymmetry. This issue not only affects performance but also the long-term wellbeing of horses. Seeing first-hand how little technology existed to address the problem, Ben teamed up with fellow engineer Thomas Lowry to design a smarter solution. Since its founding in 2024, Equilyze has developed a functional prototype of the Smart Numnah, earned recognition through Queen’s University Belfast’s What’s the Big Idea? and Dragons’ Den competitions, and built strong relationships with riders, trainers, competitors, and equine physiotherapists to ensure the product meets real-world needs.

Team:

Equilyze is co-founded by Ben Sloan and Thomas Lowry, both Master’s students in Software & Electronic Systems Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast. Ben brings hardware, firmware, and sensor design expertise from his work with Analog Devices, alongside multiple innovation awards that validate the company’s potential. Thomas complements this with software development expertise, strengthened by professional experience at Liberty IT, ensuring the Smart Numnah is supported by a robust and user-friendly digital platform.

They are supported by Kerry Sloan, an accomplished dressage competitor whose equestrian background provides invaluable real-world insight into the challenges riders face and the practical needs of horses. Kerry’s lived experience ensures that Equilyze’s technology is not only technically advanced but also truly aligned with the demands of equestrian sport.

Together, the team blends engineering, entrepreneurship, and equestrian expertise to create technology that enhances performance and strengthens the connection between rider and horse.

Tell us a bit about your solution

Equilyze has developed the Smart Numnah, a sensor-embedded saddle pad that tracks how a rider distributes their weight in real time. The data is processed instantly and delivered back to the rider through their smartwatch or phone, using simple haptic or visual cues to help them correct their posture while they ride. Unlike bulky wearables or the need for constant trainer supervision, the Smart Numnah is seamless, discreet, and built into equipment riders already use every day. By combining advanced pressure sensing with intuitive feedback, Equilyze empowers riders to improve performance and safeguard their horse’s long-term wellbeing.

What first impression do you want users to have when they experience/use your product?

When riders first use the Smart Numnah, we want it to feel completely natural and identical to their everyday ride with no change in comfort or feel. The technology should remain invisible unless it is actively providing feedback. When feedback is given, it should feel intuitive, precise, and supportive, guiding the rider without distraction. The product itself should create a premium and sleek impression that reflects its quality. After the ride, the experience should shift to insight, with riders feeling empowered by clear and detailed data that helps them correct their posture and protect their horse’s health.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

In five years we aim to be the go-to company for data-driven equestrian performance. Our goal is to offer a robust suite of sensors and products that track every aspect of the horse and rider partnership. Alongside the technology, we will build a strong and engaged community of riders who can connect through progress tracking, streaks, shared updates, and helpful tips. By combining advanced monitoring with a supportive digital community, Equilyze will set the standard for how riders improve performance and safeguard horse wellbeing.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve received so far?

The best advice we have received is to get a prototype in front of users as early as possible. Until something tangible is built, the idea alone means very little. Real feedback is a game changer because it accelerates development, sharpens focus on the real problem, and ensures that every iteration is guided by genuine user needs and experiences.