Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to 150 Horses with Musculoskeletal Pain before and after Diagnostic Anaesthesia

Abstract

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was developed to facilitate the recognition of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this study was to document changes in RHpE scores before and after diagnostic anaesthesia was performed to alleviate pain ± when the saddle was changed. One hundred and fifty horses underwent ridden exercise as part of an investigation of poor performance. The RHpE was applied before and after the interventions. Fifty-two (34.7%) horses exhibited a bilaterally symmetrical short step length and/or restricted hindlimb impulsion and engagement. Fifty-three (35.3%) horses had episodic lameness; only forty-five (30.0%) horses were continuously lame. The median maximum lameness grade when ridden was 2/8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0–3; range: 0–4). Fifty-six (37.3%) horses had an ill-fitting saddle, which was considered likely to influence performance. The median RHpE scores after the interventions (2/24 [IQR: 1–3, range: 0–12]) were significantly lower than before the interventions (9/24 [IQR: 8–11, range: 2–15]) (Wilcoxon signed-rank z = 10.6, p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the RHpE score and maximum lameness grade before diagnostic anaesthesia (Spearman’s rho = 0.09, p = 0.262). It was concluded that the absence of overt lameness does not preclude primary musculoskeletal pain. Gait quality and performance can be improved by diagnostic anaesthesia, with substantial reductions in RHpE scores.

Primary phenotypic features associated with caudal neck pathology in warmblood horses

“…Tilting of the head when on the lunge or ridden is a non‐specific indicator of musculoskeletal pain and is 1 of the 24 behaviors of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), 27 which decreases in frequency of occurrence after removal of pain using diagnostic anesthesia. 28 , 29 Horses with neck pain might tilt the head, but careful observation often reveals that there is a tilt of both the neck and head, 4 as observed in our study.…”

“…It is important to recognize that the presence of lameness and its severity might be influenced by the position of the neck, and assessment of the horse ridden with and without rein tension is important, as indicated in our study and previous observations. 4 , 29 Lameness associated with cervical radiculopathy often is associated with high RHpE scores. 29 …”

“… 4 , 29 Lameness associated with cervical radiculopathy often is associated with high RHpE scores. 29 …”

Determination of Equine Behaviour in Subjectively Non-Lame Ridden Sports Horses and Comparison with Lame Sports Horses Evaluated at Competitions

“…There was a low frequency of occurrence of “bit pulled through to one side” in the non-lame horses compared with lame horses or those with abnormalities of canter. In a study of 150 horses undergoing investigation of low-grade lameness or poor performance “bit pulled through to one side” was observed in 28%, with riders usually indicating that this was associated with asymmetrical rein tension [ 12 ]. This was reduced to 3% after diagnostic anaesthesia ± improved saddle fit had substantially reduced musculoskeletal pain.…”

“…It is clear from studies performed in Denmark [ 1 ], Sweden [ 2 ], Switzerland [ 3 , 4 ], and the United Kingdom [ 5 , 6 ] that riders and trainers are poor at recognising lameness or pain-induced abnormalities of canter. Previous work has focused on the assessment of ridden horses’ behaviour to facilitate recognition of musculoskeletal pain [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. A Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) was developed comprising 24 behaviours; the majority of the behaviours of the RHpE were greater than ten times more likely to be seen in a lame horse versus a non-lame horse [ 7 ].…”