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Home/Equine Research Bank/Vet Anaesth Analg/An equine pain face.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia2014; 42(1); 103-114; doi: 10.1111/vaa.12212

An equine pain face.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the existence of an equine pain face and to describe this in detail. Methods: Semi-randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Methods: Six adult horses. Methods: Pain was induced with two noxious stimuli, a tourniquet on the antebrachium and topical application of capsaicin. All horses participated in two control trials and received both noxious stimuli twice, once with and once without an observer present. During all sessions their pain state was scored. The horses were filmed and the close-up video recordings of the faces were analysed for alterations in behaviour and facial expressions. Still images from the trials were evaluated for the presence of each of the specific pain face features identified from the video analysis. Results: Both noxious challenges were effective in producing a pain response resulting in significantly increased pain scores. Alterations in facial expressions were observed in all horses during all noxious stimulations. The number of pain face features present on the still images from the noxious challenges were significantly higher than for the control trial (p = 0.0001). Facial expressions representative for control and pain trials were condensed into explanatory illustrations. During pain sessions with an observer present, the horses increased their contact-seeking behavior. Conclusions: An equine pain face comprising 'low' and/or 'asymmetrical' ears, an angled appearance of the eyes, a withdrawn and/or tense stare, mediolaterally dilated nostrils and tension of the lips, chin and certain facial muscles can be recognized in horses during induced acute pain. This description of an equine pain face may be useful for improving tools for pain recognition in horses with mild to moderate pain.
© 2014 The Authors Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-31 PubMed ID: 25082060PubMed Central: PMC4312484DOI: 10.1111/vaa.12212Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study was undertaken to identify and describe the indicative facial expressions, or “pain face”, in horses when they’re experiencing acute pain. The research found that features such as low or asymmetrically positioned ears, angled eye appearance, withdrawal or tense gaze, dilated nostrils, and tension in facial muscles might serve as indicators of mild to moderate pain in horses.

Research Method

  • The study was conducted as a semi-randomized, controlled, crossover trial involving six adult horses.
  • The researchers induced pain in the horses using two methods — a tourniquet on the forelimb (antebrachium) and topical application of capsaicin.
  • All the horses went through two control trials and received both noxious stimuli twice, once with an observer present and once without. In all these sessions, their pain states were scored.
  • The researchers captured video recordings of the faces of the horses during the sessions and analysed them for alterations in behaviour and facial expressions. They also evaluated still images extracted from the trials for the presence of specific pain face features revealed through video analyses.

Results

  • Both methods of inducing pain (the tourniquet and capsaicin application) were effective in eliciting a pain response, which was evident in the significantly increased pain scores.
  • Alterations in facial expressions were noticed in all the horses during painful stimulations.
  • The researchers identified a significantly higher number of pain face features on the still images taken during the pain-inducing trials compared to the control trial.
  • When an observer was present during the pain sessions, the horses demonstrated increased contact-seeking behaviour.
  • The notable pain face indicators involved ‘low or asymmetrical’ ears, angled appearance of eyes, a withdrawn or tense stare, dilated nostrils medial-laterally, and tension in lips, chin, and certain facial muscles.

Conclusions

  • The findings suggested a recognizable ‘equine pain face’ during periods of induced acute pain. The identified features can be instrumental in recognizing and assessing mild to moderate pain in horses.
  • This research offers a valuable contribution to the tools and techniques used for identifying pain in horses, which can facilitate timely intervention and better animal care.

Cite This Article

APA
Gleerup KB, Forkman B, Lindegaard C, Andersen PH. (2014). An equine pain face. Vet Anaesth Analg, 42(1), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/vaa.12212

Publication

Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
ISSN: 1467-2995
NlmUniqueID: 100956422
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 1
Pages: 103-114

Researcher Affiliations

Gleerup, Karina B
  • Department of Large Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Forkman, Bju00f6rn
    Lindegaard, Casper
      Andersen, Pia H

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cross-Over Studies
        • Facial Expression
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horses
        • Pain / diagnosis
        • Pain / veterinary
        • Pain Measurement / methods
        • Pain Measurement / veterinary

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 73 times.

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