14/08/2025
Are you good at recognising pain in your horse?
Watch out for more subtle signals too, especially facial changes- did you know studies have been carried out which looked for certain changes in facial expression in ridden horses which indicated musculoskeletal pain? Very interesting stuff!
No one enjoys being in pain – and our horses are no different! Pain can make your horse less tolerant of people and other horses. How your horse responds to you and to everyday tasks will tell you much about how they’re feeling.
Pay attention to your horse’s reactions. Any responses that are out of character can be an indication of pain.
Some behavioural signs of joint pain include:
🐴 Appetite loss
🐴 Irritability
🐴 Sour attitude
🐴 Pinning the ears back
🐴 Reluctance to be saddled
🐴 Reluctance to float load
🐴 Pulling away during brushing
🐴 Tail swishing
🐴 Biting or kicking
If you recognise any of these signs and have concerns about your horse’s joint health, ask your veterinarian for an examination.