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Writer's picture: Tarrin WarrenTarrin Warren

Based on some of the eye open comments I have seen recently indicating lack of understanding regarding pain, let’s talk about it.


 

Let’s talk aboutpain. Pain and a horse is often misunderstood and many subtle signs are ignored. In the wild, a painful horse would become dinner and sacrificed for the betterment of the herd. Horses are programmed not to show pain. Pain shows a weak animal. By the time our horses show pain it has gotten to the point where they can no longer manage the pain.

I am not saying that painful horses need to euthanized or retired. I am saying that the pain must be diagnosed managed and rehab. In some cases, this means a change of career for the horse. I have met horses where retirement was the kindest option. I have also met horses that are not even comfortable in the pasture retired. In those cases euthanasia is the kindest decision. 

I am functionally sound. I would not pass a pre-purchase exam. However, with good exercise and management, I am able to perform my job comfortably. This is true of horses as well. 

The problem is most of the time pain is ignored in horses. Pain is written off as poor behavior or poor disposition. The pain is not managed, and there is no rehab plan in place. On the flipside of the coin sometimes pain is recognized and people will use something to mask the pain and continue using the horse in the same manner in which the problem was created.

My world exists in the middle. I rehab horses for a living. Some of these horses were purchased from dishonest sellers, and the pain was masked, hidden or not revealed. Some of these horses have genetic issues. Some of these horses have injuries. In all cases, the pain must be diagnosed. A treatment protocol must be in place.  A rehab protocol must be in place and a management protocol must be in place in order for these horses to remain functionally sound.

I am not opposed to horses being functionally sound and being used inappropriate career. It is far better than standing in a pasture starving, on a truck to Mexico, or being abused. I am not for masking the pain and continuing to use the horse in the manner that created the pain to begin with. 

To learn more about pain in horses I recommend looking at Sue Dyson’s research on pain symptoms in horses. 




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