Pain signals

What you see

Possible pain signals include a tense pain face (low, stiffly held ears, a tight eye area, a tense muzzle and mouth), a changed posture, eating less, stiffness, and under saddle behaviour such as tail swishing, pinned ears, teeth grinding and going against the aids.

What it can mean

• Validated tools exist, such as the Horse Grimace Scale and the equine pain face description for the face.
• For ridden behaviour there is the ridden horse pain ethogram of 24 behaviours, where 8 or more strongly points to pain.
• Because horses are prey animals, they often hide pain, especially when someone is present.

What this does not prove

These signals are indications, not a diagnosis. Behaviour alone does not prove a specific problem, and the absence of clear signals does not rule pain out. Only a vet can establish pain and its cause.

Read the combination and the context

Watch above all for change from what is normal for this horse, and for several signals together. A new short fuse, eating less, stiffness or a change in behaviour under saddle weighs more than a single sign.

When to seek help

New or clear pain signals, or an unexplained change in behaviour, should be assessed by a vet. This section helps you observe and seek help in time; it is no substitute for veterinary examination.

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