When a horse is in pain, the signs might be obvious. For example, he might roll or paw at the ground (red flags for colic!). More subtle clues are easy to overlook, however. Be alert for the following six easy-to-miss signs of pain:
1. Teeth grinding
A horse might grind his teeth, a behavior also known as bruxism, if he is anxious, frustrated, or in pain. The timing of when he grinds can tell you a lot about the cause. For instance, if you hear the characteristic grinding noise after he eats, he might have a gastric ulcer. Or if it’s noticeable only when he’s ridden, something associated with carrying a rider might be causing him discomfort.
2. Unusual sweating
One of a horse’s physiological responses to pain is sweating. If you notice sweat on your horse’s coat at odd times—for example, despite cold weather or even though he hasn’t been exercising—investigate further.
3. Distracted expression
If your horse is normally social and perky but lately seems strangely disengaged, he might be uncomfortable in some way. Try shaking a bucket of grain or offering him a carrot to see if he snaps out of it and returns to normal.
4. Difficulty managing hills
The effort required to travel up and down inclines can worsen existing soreness in the neck, back, and hindquarters. A horse in pain might have trouble, or even resist, tackling hills.
5. Staring at his belly
Unlike the more distinctive signs of colic—vigorous rolling and nipping at the belly—some horses might simply stare at their stomach when it hurts.
6. Unusual posture
If your horse seems to be constantly shifting his weight, “pointing” a hoof, or standing in an unusual way, he might be attempting to protect a sore limb. The dramatic “rocked-back” stance of acute laminitis is easy to spot, but chronic or slow-onset laminitis can result in a more subtle posture shift that just looks different than normal. Don’t dismiss any “funny” stance as a quirk, particularly if it appears suddenly.
Changes in behavior, movement, or posture can all indicate pain, so pay close attention to your horse’s actions daily. And if you suspect your horse might be in pain, contact your veterinarian to share your concerns. Prompt recognition and treatment of pain can help prevent a minor injury or illness from becoming a major one.
Want to take a deeper dive into recognizing pain and discomfort in your horse? Check out the Equine Discomfort Ethogram developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers and Dr. Sue Dyson’s Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram.
Related Reading:
- Is Your Horse’s Back Sore?
- Why Is My Horse Limping? Causes of Equine Lameness
- Everything You Need to Know About Impaction Colic in Horses
This article originally appeared on Equusmagazine.com.
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