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Pain can affect your horse's personality and may cause a normally friendly, laid-back horse to become irritable or withdrawn.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/