How to Tell if a Horse is in Pain
Updated December 27, 2023
In this Ask the Vet video, Dr. Lydia Gray explains research studies showing patterns of behavior in horses that are experiencing pain or discomfort to help owners recognize the signs. She also describes ethograms – what they are, why they’re helpful and where you can find one!
Additional Horse Owner Resources
- Department of the Interior - Quantifying Equid Behavior— A Research Ethogram for Free-Roaming Feral Horses
- Colorado State University Facial Ethogram
- Development of an ethogram for a pain scoring system in ridden horses and its application to determine the presence of musculoskeletal pain (Dr. Sue Dyson)
- Understand the signs of back pain in horses with this article from the Horse Health Library.
SmartPak strongly encourages you to consult your veterinarian regarding specific questions about your horse's health. This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, and is purely educational.