b'IS YOUR HORSE HURTING?Gait too slow (frequency of trot stepsResearchers have found that the HGS less than 35/15 seconds) or a passage- correlates well with the Obel laminitis like trot (the horse holds each step for ascale and, therefore, veterinarians can second in the air); assess laminitic horses pain without forc-Hind limbs not following the forelimbsing them to walk or trot.tracks but deviating left or right, or traveling on three tracks in the trot orComposite Measure Pain Scalecanter (when the rider is attempting toA composite measure pain scale ride straight or on the bend of a circle); combines multiple simple scales, each ofRepeated leg changes at the canter,which describes specific behaviors and/or such as striking off on the wrong leg,physiological parameters. Composite pain changing a leg in front and/or behind,scales differ depending on the horses or becoming disunited; condition. For example, horses undergo- Spontaneous gait changes (e.g., breaksing colic surgery are evaluated for eight ISABELLE BEAU DE LOMENIEfrom canter to trot or trot to canter) behaviors and one physical parameter, Stumbling, tripping, or toe-draggingsuch as leg lifting for lameness. For repeatedly;orthopedic procedures the scale measuresSudden change of direction against theweight-bearing ability and behaviors such riders direction or while spooking as tooth-grinding, lip-curling, pawing,Reluctance to move forward (must beHorses displaying multiple ridden pain scaleand sweating. kicked or given verbal encouragement)behaviors within a five-minute work period areThe equine pain scale is a composite or stopping spontaneously; likely experiencing musculoskeletal pain. pain detection method that evaluatesRearing; and behavioral parameters such as grossBucking or kicking out. when pain-causing lameness is removed: pain behavior, activity level, position in It is important to recognize that some Teeth-grinding; the stall, posture and demeanor, weight-lame horses score below 8, such as stoic Constantly chomping on the bit; bearing, head position, head movement, horses or those with low-grade lameness,Sweating disproportionate to theattention toward the painful area, interac-and that some horses behave normally inwork done and the environmentaltive behavior, expressions of pain, and easy work, but only show signs of paintemperature; appetite.when performing more biomechanicallyIncreased respiratory rate dispro- Veterinarians can use these pain scales demanding movements, Dyson says.portionate to the work done and thein addition to measuring facial expres-Different horses display different behav- environmental temperature; sions and attitude.iors, so the 24-behavior ethogram cannotIncreased respiratory noises duringBehavior-based assessments of pain be simplified. Some horses may appearwork the horse finds more difficult; are appropriate when applied by trained comfortable in trot and score fewer than Grunting; veterinarians in order to assess the loca-eight but are very uncomfortable in can-Increased blink rate; and tion and the intensity of pain, Dalla ter with scores greater than eight. Abnormal behavior when being tackedCosta notes.She says most nonlame horses scoreup or mounted.only two behaviors, with the most com- Take-Home Messagemon ones being opening of the mouthObel Laminitis ScaleLearning to read a horses facial ex-and holding the front of the head behindVeterinarians can score laminitis painpressions and postures at rest or under the vertical. The most common score forsubjectively when horses are walking orsaddle can help you become more sensi-lame horses is nine, but some show up totrotting in a straight line. They call thistive to problems that arise. Horses speak 16 behaviors.scale the Obel Grading System:volumes through their bodies and behav-We know that these behaviors are aGrade 1, weight shifts from one foot toiors . we just need to recognize what reflection of pain because when pain- the other; no lameness at walk; short- theyre saying. Noticing an issue early causing lameness is removed by nerveened stride at trot. allows you to seek prompt veterinary blocks (anesthetic), there is a substantialGrade 2, moves willingly at walk andattention and appropriate therapeutic reduction in the behavior score, Dysontrot but stride is noticeably shortenedmeasures to mitigate a horses discomfort says. and lame; willing to lift a foot off theand prevent secondary problems from Although nontrained assessors canground with no difficulty. developing. differentiate between lame and nonlameGrade 3, lameness is obvious at walkAppropriate treatment is also likely to horses using the ridden horse ethogramand trot; reluctant to move; and resistsenhance performance and promote the alone, assessor training improves the ap- attempts to lift a foot. development of a happy athlete,says plications accuracy, says Dyson. Grade 4, marked reluctance or refusalDyson. We have a duty of care for the From her experience, she says, Theto move; difficulty bearing weight athorses we ride and a moral obligation to following are also important observationsrest, so it is nearly impossible to lift aimprove equine welfare by limiting pain that I have observed reduce or disappearfoot. and suffering.h16December 2019The Horse|TheHorse.comDetectingPain.indd 16 10/31/19 1:48 PM'