April Newsletter: 5 Signs Your Horse May Be in Pain

Created in Newsletter Library

5 Signs Your Horse May Be in Pain

It's not always easy to tell if your horse is in pain. In fact, dramatic changes in behavior may only happen if pain is severe. Fortunately, your horse may offer a few clues that will help you spot a potential health issue or injury, including:

Abnormal Posture

Posture changes can be a sign that your horse is in pain. For example, your horse may constantly shift its weight if it's in pain due to arthritis, a tendon injury, laminitis, or another condition.

Other posture signs that may indicate pain include:

An Arched Back
Pawing at the Ground
Pointing a Hoof
Uneven Pelvis or Shoulders
Tucked Tail
Stiffness
Rolling
Fidgeting During Grooming
Change in Head Position
Bucking
Difficulty Moving, Particularly When First Starting to Move
Changes in Gait (the way your horse walks)

Behavioral Changes

Pain can affect your horse's personality and may cause a normally friendly, laid-back horse to become irritable or withdrawn. Your horse may not want to participate in activities it usually enjoys or might not want to be touched.

Wondering why your horse constantly stares at or kicks it abdomen? Colic or another gastrointestinal issue could be to blame.

Although any horse can have a bad day, pain could be the reason for persistent behavioral changes. The Horse recommends establishing a point of reference for behavioral changes by paying attention to your horse's normal behavior, including the way it usually stands and interacts with people and other horses.

New Eating Habits

Your horse's appetite and eating habits could change due to pain. Possible signs of pain include:

Eating Less than Normal
Not Eating Anything
Losing Weight
Taking Longer to Eat
Trouble Swallowing
Disinterest in Food or Water

Has your horse begun to drool when it eats? It may have stomatitis, a viral illness that causes painful sores on the tongue and in the mouth. Horses usually get better on their own in a week or two, but anti-inflammatory medication may be needed in some cases, according to Horse DVM.

New Facial Expressions

A change in facial expression could be a clue that your horse has a painful illness or injury. If your horse is in pain, you may notice:

A Worried Expression
Tightness in the Muscles Around the Muzzle, Mouth, or Eyes
Ears That Point Backward
Glazed Eyes
Dilated Nostrils

Horses in pain may also clench their jaws and grind their teeth. Equus recommends paying attention to when your horse grinds its teeth. If the grinding occurs after eating, the horse might have a stomach ulcer, while grinding during a trail ride could mean being ridden is a painful experience, according to Equus.

Nervous System Changes

Pain can affect the autonomic nervous system, the system of nerves responsible for heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, and other essential bodily functions. Signs may include:

Dilated Pupils
Increased Heart Rate or Rapid Breathing When Your Horse Is Inactive
Trembling
Flared Nostrils
Trembling Muscles

Sweating can also be a sign of pain, particularly if your horse hasn't been active or it's a cool day.

If you notice any potential signs of pain, write down when the signs occur and what seems to trigger them. Take photos or videos of concerning behaviors if possible. This information will help your veterinarian make a diagnosis and offer treatments that will ease your horse's pain.

Worried that your horse may be in pain? Contact our office to schedule your appointment with the veterinarian.

Sources:

Horse DVM: Vesicular Stomatitis

https://horsedvm.com/disease/vesicular-stomatitis-in-horses

The Horse: How Can I Tell if My Horse is in Pain?, 10/5/2021

https://thehorse.com/149584/how-can-i-tell-if-my-horse-is-in-pain/

Equus: 6 Subtle Signs of Pain in Horses, 3/10/2023

https://equusmagazine.com/behavior/6-subtle-signs-of-pain-in-horses

PetMd: Is My Horse In Pain? Signs, Management, and Treatment, 1/13/2025

https://www.petmd.com/horse/how-do-you-know-your-horse-pain

Kentucky Equine Research: Don’t Miss Subtle Signs of Pain in Horses, 3/16/2012

https://ker.com/equinews/dont-miss-subtle-signs-pain-horses/