A recently published French study suggests a horse’s neck posture might indicate correlating back pain.

In their two-part study, the researchers aimed to first validate the use of static electromyography (sEMG) as an alternative to manual evaluation of vertebral disorders, and then to establish a relationship between neck postures and back disorders.

“The use of sEMG measures is fairly new (to veterinary practice) and concerns mostly the study of muscles and back functioning during movement,” explained lead researcher Clémence Lesimple, PhD, of the University of Rennes.

The team employed two groups of nine horses in the study: Group 1 consisted of pastured horses used for occasional leisure riding while Group 2 included stalled riding school horses, exercised 4-12 hours per week