Detecting pain in horses can be challenging. Prey animals are programmed to hide vulnerability 🐴

Detecting pain in horses can be challenging, horses are prey animals and are instinctively programmed to hide their vulnerability. How a horse may demonstrate pain will vary depending on the horse. Just how each horse has their own personality they all have different pain tolerances and responses to pain. Signs of pain in horses can be subtle and non-specific, but some signs to look out for include: Changes in facial expression: fixed stare with wide nostrils and clenched facial muscles, or dilated pupils Postural changes: altered stance, arched back weight shifting, non-weight bearing, stretching, and/or pawing Changes in movement: reluctance to move forward, shortened stride, toe dragging, tripping, lethargy Changes in appetite: loss of interest in food, playing with water, slow chewing, or dropping feed Behavioral changes: restlessness, agitation, headshaking, dullness or depression, signs of aggression, decreased interaction with surroundings Teeth grinding Flank watching Lying down more than normal Lameness Elevated heart rate Elevated respiratory rate Unexpected sweating Because pain can be hard to diagnose, it is often mistaken for behavioral issues. If your horse is demonstrating abnormal behavior, consider having them evaluated to rule out pain or discomfort as a source of abnormal behavior.