*2.1. Animals*

All animals were housed, handled and fed according to the local institutional guidelines. All were confirmed as healthy from a clinical examination conducted during acclimatization. According to the species and their familiarity with the handling procedures, all animals were acclimatized to the testing environment for at least 30 min up to several days. Again according to the species, they were accustomed to wearing equipment for at least 30 min before testing. Naïve research animals wore dummy equipment for a few hours a day for several days before testing.

Cats: Group DEV was studied during the original development of the remote system. This group comprised 24 purpose-bred neutered (17 f, 7 m) domestic short haired (DSH) cats aged 1–4 years, weighing approximately 3–6 kg. They were group-housed and brought in pairs to the testing environment at least 2 h before any testing. Testing took place with the cats roaming freely in adjacent large wire-sided cages. Group CNSW comprised 2 adult neutered DSH cats housed at night and ranging freely outside during the day (6–8 kg). They were brought to the testing area at least 2 h before testing and were studied roaming freely in a large wire-sided cage. Group CWS comprised 2 young adult neutered DSH cats kept as household pets (3–4 kg). They were brought to the testing area at least 2 h before testing and were studied roaming freely in the room.

Dogs: Three groups of dogs were studied. Group DNSW comprised two mixed breed adult neutered male dogs (weighing 24 and 28 kg bodyweight). Group COL included 3 male and 3 female 8–9-month-old Walker hounds weighing 20–24 kg. Group WS comprised a Labrador, a spaniel and a mixed breed (15–25 kg). Groups DNSW and COL were kennel-housed in pairs or groups with lead and free range exercise daily. Group DWS dogs were kept as domestic pets. All dogs were brought to the study area at least two hours before any testing and studied whilst freely moving in large open-top wire cages or in the entire room.

Horses: Six groups of horses were studied. Group HPEN comprised four adult standardbreds, two mares and two geldings weighing 450–550 kg. They were turned out to pasture at night and stabled during the day. Testing took place in their own stall. Group HBR comprised 10 mixed breed young adult gelding horses weighing 268–460 kg. The horses were turned out on pasture at night and housed in part-covered yards for the duration of any testing schedule. They were brought to the testing stall and allowed at least 30 min acclimatization with the equipment in place before any testing. They were lightly restrained with a headcollar and long rope. Group HWS comprised two young Arab mares weighing 450 kg. They were kept at pasture and brought to the large open testing barn at least one hour before testing. They were also lightly restrained with a headcollar and long rope. Group HNSW comprised one adult Thoroughbred gelding weighing 475 kg. He was kept at pasture and allowed 30 min acclimatization before any testing, lightly restrained with a headcollar and rope in a small paddock. Group HNO comprised two adult Norwegian Trotter mares (450–500 kg). They were stabled throughout the study, and testing took place with them freely moving in their own stall. Group HHAN comprised seven adult warmblood horses weighing 650–700 kg, three geldings and four mares. They were also stabled throughout the study, and testing took place with them freely moving in their own stall. None of the groups was fed during testing.

Sheep: Two groups of sheep were studied. Group SWA comprised three calm, pregnan<sup>t</sup> Merino sheep during preparation for a larger project investigating post-operative hyperalgesia. They were housed and tested in large, raised, wire-sided open-top pens in full view of their companions. They were allowed at least 30 min with the equipment in place before any testing. Group SZU comprised eight young adult Swiss Alpine sheep (castrated males and females, around 50 kg bodyweight). They were group-housed in large wire-sided open-top pens; testing was performed in a smaller area partitioned off with wire-sided hurdles, without separating the subject from its companions. At least 30 min acclimatization was allowed with the equipment in place before any testing started.

Camels: Three young adult dromedary camels were studied (group DCSA). One male and two females, weighing 6–700 kg, were included. They were housed in open yards but brought into individual horse stalls for the duration of the study. They were acclimatized to the testing environment for two days before any testing, which took place in their individual stalls.
