Growing up in the horse world, I became accustomed to seeing horses exhibiting behaviors that were a result of pain. I had my own blinders on, because I was taught at traditional stables that this was “normal.” 

Looking back, I know that there is nothing “normal” about a horse being in pain. However, in a world that views them as tools to be used, regardless of how they felt, physically and mentally, pain was almost inevitably a bi-product of horse-human interactions.

Thankfully, at a young age, when I was disillusioned and burnt out on traditional equitation because of dominating, toxic views like this, I found a natural horsemanship community that turned my whole world around. 

It was there that I was taught to put the relationship first. 

Bodywork modalities such as chiropractic, myofascial release, and acupressure were readily accepted at this community, and professionals of all backgrounds regularly visited to offer us help in aiding our horses to stay in balance physically. 

Compassionate training methods were used, emphasizing groundwork just as equally as under saddle work. 

Willingness was prioritized over force. However, when over the years I’d venture out of my “natural horsemanship bubble” and visit more traditional barns, I saw the same thing happening that I did twenty years ago when I first started taking riding lessons.

I saw lame horses being worked under saddle, even in the context of therapeutic riding programs. I saw horses under saddle being reprimanded with harsh bits for displaying pain behaviors. I’m sad to say that the list goes on and on… so I’ve written this article to spread awareness of one) a thorough research article on recognizing signs of pain in horses by a researcher who is much smarter than I am, and two) to underline the importance of recognizing pain patterns in not only horses, but ourselves.

For horses to stop being blamed for their behaviors that are a result of pain and discomfort from being ridden, every rider, instructor, and guardian needs to understand the signs that are very recognizable once we open our eyes to them.

For humans to stop the vicious cycle of passing on, deflecting, dissociating, or suppressing pain, we must one) be able to acknowledge our pain, two) identify the cause, and 3) correctly and responsibly use coping strategies when the stimulus is unavoidable.

I know something about pain. Not everything… but enough to know that experiencing chronic pain, even in a condensed timeline with relief out there on the horizon, is enough to make life absolutely miserable. 

You don’t feel like you’re living when you’re in pain. You’re really just surviving. You may find that you will do anything to make it go away - including causing even more pain in the long-run. I’ll explain…. But first, onto the reason you’re likely reading this post.

While we can speak up about our pain, horses cannot. Therefore, to protect their welfare, we must first discuss ways to recognize and treat pain they may be experiencing - especially if we are the cause of it.

Signs Horses are In Pain Under Saddle

The ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE), adapted by researcher Sue Dyson, lists 24 behaviors which horses exhibit when in pain under saddle. It underscores the importance of training our eyes to observe signs of pain demonstrated by horses on the ground, as Dyson (2022: 372) highlights that the RHpE behaviors are “at least 10 times more likely to be seen in lame horses compared with non-lame horses.”

Take the time to train your eye so you can recognize these signs. We can only do better when we know better. There is a reason this research was conducted. Dyson explains, “The majority of veterinarians have received little training in the recognition of low-grade lameness, the ways in which ridden horses adapt to musculoskeletal pain” (2022: 372).

If the field of western veterinary medicine is still lacking in recognition of these signs of pain, then we cannot rightly expect the average horse guardian to know, and especially shame them for not knowing.

The RHpE is a helpful tool in empowering riders to seek treatment when multiple signs of pain or discomfort are observed. The author of the article (Dyson, 2022: 375-376) explains that a total of 491 horses working under saddle were examined and the findings show: 

“There was a significant positive association between lameness and the RHpE score…. These data provide strong evidence that the display of ≥8/24 behaviors of the RHpE is likely to reflect the presence of musculoskeletal pain, although some lame horses score <8/24.”

To see examples of the 24 behaviors comprising the RHpE, understand how to use it, as well as learn about the brilliant depth of this research, read the full article here.

Now onto the second takeaway of this post. How well are you able to assess patterns and behaviors caused by pain - in horses, other humans, and especially within yourself?

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Resources

Dyson, S., 2022. The ridden horse pain ethogram. Equine Veterinary Education, 34(7), pp.372-380.