FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Equine Discomfort Ethogram.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(2); 580; doi: 10.3390/ani11020580

Equine Discomfort Ethogram.

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in and need for a comprehensive ethogram of discomfort behavior of horses, particularly for use in recognizing physical discomfort in domestically managed horses. A clear understanding of the physical discomfort behavior of horses among caretakers, trainers, and professional health care personnel is important to animal welfare and caretaker safety. This is particularly relevant to pain management for hospitalized equine patients. Various pain scale rubrics have been published, typically incorporating only a few classically cited pain behaviors that, in many cases, are specific to a particular body system, anatomic location, or disease condition. A consistent challenge in using these rubrics in practice, and especially in research, is difficulty interpreting behaviors listed in various rubrics. The objective of this equine discomfort ethogram is to describe a relatively comprehensive catalog of behaviors associated with discomfort of various degrees and sources, with the goal of improving understanding and clarity of communication regarding equine discomfort and pain. An inventory of discomfort-related behaviors observed in horses has been compiled over 35 years of equine behavior research and clinical consulting to medical and surgical services at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's equine hospital. This research and clinical work included systematic evaluation of thousands of hours of video-recordings, including many hundreds of normal, healthy horses, as well as hospitalized patients with various complaints and/or known medical, neurologic, or orthopedic conditions. Each of 73 ethogram entries is named, defined, and accompanied by a line drawing illustration. Links to online video recorded examples are provided, illustrating each behavior in one or more hospitalized equine patients. This ethogram, unambiguously describing equine discomfort behaviors, should advance welfare of horses by improving recognition of physical discomfort, whether for pain management of hospitalized horses or in routine husbandry.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-02-23 PubMed ID: 33672338PubMed Central: PMC7931104DOI: 10.3390/ani11020580Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

The research presents an extensive catalogue of discomfort behaviours in horses, assembled over 35 years, with the aim of improving understanding and communication regarding equine discomfort and pain.

Research Motivation and Background

  • Horses, especially those in domestic management, often experience physical discomfort, a situation that necessitates a way to effectively recognize these discomforts.
  • The welfare of the horses and the safety of caretakers is crucial, hence the need to understand the horses’ discomfort behaviours. This understanding is particularly relevant in managing pain for horses in health care facilities.
  • Published pain scale rubrics, though useful, are limited in scope as they focus on a specific body system, anatomic location, or disease condition and often pose interpretation challenges in practice and research.

Objective of the Research

  • The research seeks to present a comprehensive catalogue of behaviours related to discomfort among horses of varying degrees and sources, aiming to enhance understanding and improve communication about equine discomfort and pain.

Methodology

  • The research is based on information collected over 35 years from observations of discomfort-related behaviours in horses, in addition to clinical consultation to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s equine hospital.
  • The researchers systematically evaluated thousands of hours of video footage in their study, capturing the behaviour of both healthy horses and afflicted ones with known medical, neurological, or orthopedic conditions.

The Equine Discomfort Ethogram

  • The ethogram lists 73 discomfort behaviours, each defined and identified with a name and a line drawing illustration for better understanding and clarity.
  • To facilitate practical comprehension, online video clips depicting each listed behaviour in one or more hospitalized horses were linked to the ethogram entries.

Conclusion and Implication of the Research

  • The research presents a detailed ethogram for equine discomfort behaviours, significantly improving our capacity to recognize physical discomfort in horses.
  • Overall, the equine discomfort ethogram will propagate the welfare of horses by improving pain management in hospitalized horses and fostering better understanding and communication in routine care.

Cite This Article

APA
Torcivia C, McDonnell S. (2021). Equine Discomfort Ethogram. Animals (Basel), 11(2), 580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020580

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
PII: 580

Researcher Affiliations

Torcivia, Catherine
  • Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 382 W Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19382, USA.
McDonnell, Sue
  • Havemeyer Equine Behavior Lab and Clinic, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 382 W Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19382, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 47 references
  1. de Grauw JC, van Loon JP. Systematic pain assessment in horses.. Vet J 2016 Mar;209:14-22.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.030pubmed: 26831169google scholar: lookup
  2. Gleerup KB, Lindegaard C. Recognition and quantification of pain in horses: A tutorial review.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016;28:47–57.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12383google scholar: lookup
  3. Bussières G, Jacques C, Lainay O, Beauchamp G, Leblond A, Cadoré JL, Desmaizières LM, Cuvelliez SG, Troncy E. Development of a composite orthopaedic pain scale in horses.. Res Vet Sci 2008 Oct;85(2):294-306.
    pubmed: 18061637doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2007.10.011google scholar: lookup
  4. Van Loon JPAM, Back W, Hellebrekers LJ, Van Weeren PR. Application of a composite pain scale to objectively monitor horses with somatic and visceral pain under hospital conditions.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2010;30:641–649.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.09.011google scholar: lookup
  5. Graubner C, Gerber V, Doherr M, Spadavecchia C. Clinical application and reliability of a post abdominal surgery pain assessment scale (PASPAS) in horses.. Vet J 2011 May;188(2):178-83.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.04.029pubmed: 20627635google scholar: lookup
  6. Dalla Costa E, Minero M, Lebelt D, Stucke D, Canali E, Leach MC. Development of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) as a pain assessment tool in horses undergoing routine castration.. PLoS One 2014;9(3):e92281.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092281pmc: PMC3960217pubmed: 24647606google scholar: lookup
  7. Torcivia C, McDonnell S. In-Person Caretaker Visits Disrupt Ongoing Discomfort Behavior in Hospitalized Equine Orthopedic Surgical Patients.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 27;10(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10020210pmc: PMC7070845pubmed: 32012670google scholar: lookup
  8. Raekallio M, Taylor PM, Bennett RC. Preliminary investigations of pain and analgesia assessment in horses administered phenylbutazone or placebo after arthroscopic surgery.. Vet Surg 1997 Mar-Apr;26(2):150-5.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1997.tb01478.xpubmed: 9068166google scholar: lookup
  9. Pritchett LC, Ulibarri C, Roberts MC, Schneider RK, Sellon DC. Identification of potential physiological and behavioral indicators of postoperative pain in horses after exploratory celiotomy for colic.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2003;80:31–43.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00205-8google scholar: lookup
  10. Ashley FH, Waterman-Pearson AE, Whay HR. Behavioural assessment of pain in horses and donkeys: application to clinical practice and future studies.. Equine Vet J 2005 Nov;37(6):565-75.
    doi: 10.2746/042516405775314826pubmed: 16295937google scholar: lookup
  11. McDonnell SM. Is It Psychological, Physical, or Both?. Proceedings of the 51st AAEP Annual Convention; Seattle, WA, USA. 3–7 December 2005; pp. 231–238.
  12. Ask K, Rhodin M, Tamminen LM, Hernlund E, Haubro Andersen P. Identification of Body Behaviors and Facial Expressions Associated with Induced Orthopedic Pain in Four Equine Pain Scales.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 19;10(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10112155pmc: PMC7699379pubmed: 33228117google scholar: lookup
  13. Casey RA. Clinical problems associated with the intensive management of performance horses.. In: Waran N., editor. The Welfare of Horses. Springer; Dordrecht, The Netherlands: 2007. pp. 19–44.
  14. Contino EK, Mama KR. Recognition of Pain.. In: Sprayberry KA, Robinson NE, editors. Current Therapy in Equine Medicine. Elsevier Saunders; St. Louis, MO, USA: 2015. pp. 49–54.
  15. Daglish J, Mama KR. Pain: Its Diagnosis and Management in the Rehabilitation of Horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2016 Apr;32(1):13-29.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2015.12.005pubmed: 27012506google scholar: lookup
  16. Dalla Costa E, Stucke D, Dai F, Minero M, Leach MC, Lebelt D. Using the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) to Assess Pain Associated with Acute Laminitis in Horses (Equus caballus).. Animals (Basel) 2016 Aug 3;6(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani6080047pmc: PMC4997272pubmed: 27527224google scholar: lookup
  17. Driessen B, Zarucco L. Pain: From diagnosis to effective treatment.. Clin. Tech. Equine Pract. 2007;6:126–134.
    doi: 10.1053/j.ctep.2007.05.005google scholar: lookup
  18. Dutton DW, Lashnits KJ, Wegner K. Managing severe hoof pain in a horse using multimodal analgesia and a modified composite pain score.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2009;21:37–43.
    doi: 10.2746/095777308X382669google scholar: lookup
  19. Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Partners with bad temper: reject or cure? A study of chronic pain and aggression in horses.. PLoS One 2010 Aug 26;5(8):e12434.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012434pmc: PMC2928779pubmed: 20865160google scholar: lookup
  20. Gleerup KB, Forkman B, Lindegaard C, Andersen PH. An equine pain face.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2015 Jan;42(1):103-14.
    doi: 10.1111/vaa.12212pmc: PMC4312484pubmed: 25082060google scholar: lookup
  21. Grint NJ, Beths T, Yvorchuk-St Jean K, What HR, Murrell JC. Analysis of behaviors observed during mechanical nociceptive threshold testing in donkeys and horses.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2017;50:102–109.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.11.001google scholar: lookup
  22. Hausberger M, Fureix C, Lesimple C. Detecting horses’ sickness: In search of visible signs.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2016;75:41–49.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.09.005google scholar: lookup
  23. Jochle W, Moore JN, Brown J, Baker GJ, Lowe JE, Fubini S, Reeves MJ, Watkins JP, White NA. Comparison of detomidine, butorphanol, flunixin meglumine and xylazine in clinical cases of equine colic.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1989 Jun;(7):111-6.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb05668.xpubmed: 9118091google scholar: lookup
  24. Johnson CB, Taylor PM, Young SS, Brearley JC. Postoperative analgesia using phenylbutazone, flunixin or carprofen in horses.. Vet Rec 1993 Oct 2;133(14):336-8.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.133.14.336pubmed: 8236675google scholar: lookup
  25. Lindegaard C, Thomsen MH, Larsen S, Andersen PH. Analgesic efficacy of intra-articular morphine in experimentally induced radiocarpal synovitis in horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2010 Mar;37(2):171-85.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2009.00521.xpubmed: 20230568google scholar: lookup
  26. McDonnell S. The Equid Ethogram: A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior.. The Blood Horse Inc.; Lanham, MD, USA: 2003.
  27. Molony V, Kent JE. Assessment of acute pain in farm animals using behavioral and physiological measurements.. J Anim Sci 1997 Jan;75(1):266-72.
    doi: 10.2527/1997.751266xpubmed: 9027575google scholar: lookup
  28. Obel N. Studies on the Histopathology of Acute Laminitis.. Almquisst & Wiksells Botryckeri; Upsalla, Sweden: 1948.
  29. Pehkonen J, Karma L, Raekallio M. Behavioral Signs Associated With Equine Periapical Infection in Cheek Teeth.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019 Jun;77:144-150.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.005pubmed: 31133309google scholar: lookup
  30. Price J, Catriona S, Welsh EM, Waran NK. Preliminary evaluation of a behaviour-based system for assessment of post-operative pain in horses following arthroscopic surgery.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2003 Jul;30(3):124-37.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1467-2995.2003.00139.xpubmed: 14498844google scholar: lookup
  31. Rietmann TR, Staﾬher M, Bernasconi P, Auer JA, Weishaupt MA. The association between heart rate, heart rate variability, endocrine and behavioural pain measures in horses suffering from laminitis.. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 2004 Jun;51(5):218-25.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2004.00627.xpubmed: 15315700google scholar: lookup
  32. Rochais C, Fureix C, Lesimple C, Hausberger M. Lower attention to daily environment: a novel cue for detecting chronic horses' back pain?. Sci Rep 2016 Jan 29;6:20117.
    doi: 10.1038/srep20117pmc: PMC4731760pubmed: 26823123google scholar: lookup
  33. Sutton GA, Dahan R, Turner D, Paltiel O. A behaviour-based pain scale for horses with acute colic: scale construction.. Vet J 2013 Jun;196(3):394-401.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.10.008pubmed: 23141961google scholar: lookup
  34. Sutton GA, Paltiel O, Soffer M, Turner D. Validation of two behaviour-based pain scales for horses with acute colic.. Vet J 2013 Sep;197(3):646-50.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.007pubmed: 23993390google scholar: lookup
  35. Taffarel MO, Luna SP, de Oliveira FA, Cardoso GS, Alonso Jde M, Pantoja JC, Brondani JT, Love E, Taylor P, White K, Murrell JC. Refinement and partial validation of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in horses.. BMC Vet Res 2015 Apr 1;11:83.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0395-8pmc: PMC4393617pubmed: 25888751google scholar: lookup
  36. Taylor PM, Pascoe PJ, Mama KR. Diagnosing and treating pain in the horse. Where are we today?. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2002 Apr;18(1):1-19, v.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(02)00009-3pubmed: 12064173google scholar: lookup
  37. VanDierendonck MC, van Loon JP. Monitoring acute equine visceral pain with the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Composite Pain Assessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP): A validation study.. Vet J 2016 Oct;216:175-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.08.004pubmed: 27687948google scholar: lookup
  38. van Loon JP, Jonckheer-Sheehy VS, Back W, van Weeren PR, Hellebrekers LJ. Monitoring equine visceral pain with a composite pain scale score and correlation with survival after emergency gastrointestinal surgery.. Vet J 2014 Apr;200(1):109-15.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.01.003pubmed: 24491373google scholar: lookup
  39. van Loon JP, Van Dierendonck MC. Monitoring acute equine visceral pain with the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Composite Pain Assessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP): A scale-construction study.. Vet J 2015 Dec;206(3):356-64.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.08.023pubmed: 26526526google scholar: lookup
  40. van Loon JP, Van Dierendonck MC. Monitoring equine head-related pain with the Equine Utrecht University scale for facial assessment of pain (EQUUS-FAP).. Vet J 2017 Feb;220:88-90.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.01.006pubmed: 28190503google scholar: lookup
  41. van Loon JPAM, Van Dierendonck MC. Objective pain assessment in horses (2014-2018).. Vet J 2018 Dec;242:1-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.10.001pubmed: 30503538google scholar: lookup
  42. van Loon JPAM, Van Dierendonck MC. Pain assessment in horses after orthopaedic surgery and with orthopaedic trauma.. Vet J 2019 Apr;246:85-91.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.001pubmed: 30902195google scholar: lookup
  43. Wagner AE. Effects of stress on pain in horses and incorporating pain scales for equine practice.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Dec;26(3):481-92.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.07.001pubmed: 21056295google scholar: lookup
  44. Waring GH. Horse Behavior.. 2nd ed. Noyes Publications; Norwich, UK: William Andrew Publishing; Norwich, UK: 2003.
  45. Wathan J, Burrows AM, Waller BM, McComb K. EquiFACS: The Equine Facial Action Coding System.. PLoS One 2015;10(8):e0131738.
    pmc: PMC4526551pubmed: 26244573doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131738google scholar: lookup
  46. Ijichi C, Collins LM, Elwood RW. Pain expression is linked to personality in horses.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2014;152:38–43.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.12.007google scholar: lookup
  47. Dyson S, Berger J, Ellis AD, Mullard J. Development of an ethogram for a pain scoring system in ridden horses and its application to determine the presence of musculoskeletal pain.. J. Vet. Behav. 2018;23:47–57.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.008google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Fletcher KA, Limon G, Padalino B, Hall GK, Chancellor N, Grist A, Gibson TJ. Impact of Social Buffering and Restraint on Welfare Indicators during UK Commercial Horse Slaughter.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 12;13(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13142276pubmed: 37508053google scholar: lookup
  2. Harvey AM, Beausoleil NJ, Ramp D, Mellor DJ. Mental Experiences in Wild Animals: Scientifically Validating Measurable Welfare Indicators in Free-Roaming Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 28;13(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13091507pubmed: 37174544google scholar: lookup
  3. Kieson E, Goma AA, Radi M. Tend and Befriend in Horses: Partner Preferences, Lateralization, and Contextualization of Allogrooming in Two Socially Stable Herds of Quarter Horse Mares.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 7;13(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13020225pubmed: 36670764google scholar: lookup
  4. Lanci A, Benedetti B, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J, van Loon JPAM, Padalino B. Development of a Composite Pain Scale in Foals: A Pilot Study.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 11;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12040439pubmed: 35203146google scholar: lookup
  5. Harvey AM, Morton JM, Mellor DJ, Russell V, Chapple RS, Ramp D. Use of Remote Camera Traps to Evaluate Animal-Based Welfare Indicators in Individual Free-Roaming Wild Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 15;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11072101pubmed: 34359229google scholar: lookup
  6. Bell C, Rogers S. Attitudes of the Equestrian Public towards Equine End-of-Life Decisions.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11061776pubmed: 34198636google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.