A new study published in Animal Welfare (Cambridge University Press, September 2025) has shed light on how horse owners interpret signs of pain in their animals and what influences their decisions to seek veterinary help.
Led by Dr Rebecca Smith and colleagues at the University of Liverpool, the research followed 200 hours of observations across four UK veterinary practices and included in-depth interviews with 25 horse owners.
The findings revealed that owners’ understanding of pain was deeply rooted in their daily interactions with their horses. Most relied on knowing what was “normal” for their individual horse, noticing changes in behaviour, movement, or demeanour. While pain often factored into concerns, it was rarely the direct reason for booking a veterinary consultation. Instead, owners tended to present horses for issues like lameness, changes in performance, or general behavioural problems.
Veterinary consultations themselves played a key role in shaping owners’ views. The way vets responded to concerns could influence not only immediate treatment options but also how owners perceived pain, veterinary expertise, and whether they would seek advice in the future.
The study highlights the importance of effective communication between vets and owners, and suggests that improving recognition and discussion of pain could significantly enhance equine welfare.
Owners’ everyday interactions with their horse: Pain-related issues and those of veterinary concern [Read the full article here]
