FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2014; 46(4); 517-523; doi: 10.1111/evj.12265

Pain control in horses: what do we really know?

Abstract: Currently, approaches to pain control in horses are a mixture of art and science. Recognition of overt pain behaviours, such as rolling, kicking at the abdomen, flank watching, lameness or blepharospasm, may be obvious; subtle signs of pain can include changes in facial expression or head position, location in the stall and response to palpation or human interaction. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine and firocoxib), opioids (i.e. butorphanol, morphine and buprenorphine) and α2 -adrenergic agonists (i.e. xylazine, detomidine, romifidine and medetomidine) are the most commonly used therapeutic options. Multimodal therapy using constant-rate infusions of lidocaine, ketamine and/or butorphanol has gained popularity for severe pain in hospitalised cases. Drugs targeting neuropathic pain, such as gabapentin, are increasingly used for conditions such as laminitis. Optimal strategies for management of pain are based upon severity and chronicity, including special considerations for use of intra-articular or epidural delivery and therapy in foals. Strategies that aim to mitigate adverse effects associated with use of various analgesic agents are briefly discussed.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-05-15 PubMed ID: 24645799DOI: 10.1111/evj.12265Google 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
  • Review

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 abstract discusses the varied methods utilized for pain control in horses, detailing the detection of visible and subtle pain symptoms, the common medications and therapies applied, and considerations based on severity and duration of the pain. It also discusses strategies to minimize the side effects of these pain relief measures.

Detecting Pain in Horses

  • The paper emphasizes the importance of detecting both overt and subtle signs of pain in horses. Overt pain behaviors include actions like rolling, kicking at the abdomen, watching the flank, lameness, or blepharospasm, which are clearly identifiable.
  • On the other hand, subtle signs of pain can include changes in facial expression or head position, location in the stall, and response to palpation or human interaction. These signs may often be overlooked but can be critical indicators of a horse’s pain level.

Common Therapeutic Options for Pain Control in Horses

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and firocoxib are frequently used for pain management in horses.
  • Opioids such as butorphanol, morphine, and buprenorphine, and α2 -adrenergic agonists like xylazine, detomidine, romifidine, and medetomidine are also frequently used. These are stronger medications employed in managing higher levels of pain.
  • For severe pain, a multimodal therapy using constant-rate infusions of lidocaine, ketamine, and/or butorphanol is popular for hospitalised cases.
  • Drugs that target neuropathic pain like gabapentin are increasingly becoming more common for conditions such as laminitis which involves inflammation and pain in the horse’s hooves.

Management of Pain Based on Severity and Chronicity

  • The paper discusses how optimal strategies for pain management depend on the severity and chronicity of the pain. Special considerations are required for using intra-articular or epidural delivery and for therapies in foals, considering their young age and potentially distinctive physiology and response to medications.

Minimizing Adverse Effects of Analgesic Agents

  • Finally, the abstract notes that strategies must be in place to mitigate the adverse effects associated with the use of various analgesic agents. Safe and effective pain control in horses necessitates striking a balance between effective pain relief and minimal side effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Sanchez LC, Robertson SA. (2014). Pain control in horses: what do we really know? Equine Vet J, 46(4), 517-523. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12265

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 4
Pages: 517-523

Researcher Affiliations

Sanchez, L C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Robertson, S A

    MeSH Terms

    • Analgesics / adverse effects
    • Analgesics / therapeutic use
    • Animals
    • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
    • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
    • Horses
    • Pain / drug therapy
    • Pain / prevention & control
    • Pain / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 19 times.
    1. Lundblad J, Rhodin M, Hernlund E, Bjarnestig H, Hidén Rudander S, Haubro Andersen P. Facial expressions during compound interventions of nociception, conspecific isolation, and sedation in horses. Sci Rep 2025 Feb 13;15(1):5373.
      doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-89329-xpubmed: 39948238google scholar: lookup
    2. Franzen V, Gruber NA, Klußmann S, Schoster A, May A. Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on trigeminal-mediated headshaking in 17 horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2758-2765.
      doi: 10.1111/jvim.17194pubmed: 39264234google scholar: lookup
    3. Amari M, Rabbogliatti V, Ravasio G, Auletta L, Brioschi FA, Riccaboni P, Dell'Aere S, Roccabianca P. Development of an ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation technique in the equine cadaveric distal limb: histological findings and potential for treating chronic lameness. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1437989.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1437989pubmed: 39247124google scholar: lookup
    4. Paranjape VV, Knych HK, Berghaus LJ, Giancola S, Cathcart J, Reed RA. Plasma concentrations of buprenorphine administered via matrix-type transdermal patches applied at three different anatomical locations in healthy adult horses. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1390322.
      doi: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1390322pubmed: 38962712google scholar: lookup
    5. Lindinger H, Wehrend A. Characterization of Typical Behaviors of Mares in the Opening Phase of Parturition-Influence of Parity and Dystocia. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 28;14(7).
      doi: 10.3390/ani14071036pubmed: 38612275google scholar: lookup
    6. Paranjape VV, Knych HK, Berghaus LJ, Cathcart J, Giancola S, Craig H, James C, Saksena S, Reed RA. Evaluation of physical variables, thermal nociceptive threshold testing and pharmacokinetics during placement of transdermal buprenorphine matrix-type patch in healthy adult horses. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1373555.
      doi: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1373555pubmed: 38529072google scholar: lookup
    7. O'Brien M, Mochel JP, Kersh K, Wang C, Troy J. Phenylbutazone concentrations in synovial fluid following administration via intravenous regional limb perfusion in the forelimbs of six adult horses. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1236976.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1236976pubmed: 37691633google scholar: lookup
    8. Flood J, Stewart AJ. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Associated Toxicities in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 26;12(21).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12212939pubmed: 36359062google scholar: lookup
    9. Knych HK, Stucker K, Gretler SR, Kass PH, McKemie DS. Pharmacokinetics, adverse effects and effects on thermal nociception following administration of three doses of codeine to horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 May 25;18(1):196.
      doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03299-0pubmed: 35614473google scholar: lookup
    10. López-Sanromán FJ, Montes Freilich G, Gómez-Cisneros D, Izquierdo-Moreno J, Varela Del Arco M, Manso-Díaz G. Morphine with or without Acepromazine in Horses: A Kinematic Evaluation. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 6;12(9).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12091193pubmed: 35565620google scholar: lookup
    11. Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Nomura M, Yamashita S, Yamada M, Nagata S, Mita H, Tamura N, Fukuda K, Kuwano A, Kusano K, Toutain PL, Sato F. Medication control of flunixin in racing horses: Possible detection times using Monte Carlo simulations. Equine Vet J 2022 Sep;54(5):979-988.
      doi: 10.1111/evj.13532pubmed: 34719043google scholar: lookup
    12. Nannarone S, Giannettoni G, Laurenza C, Giontella A, Moretti G. Methadone or Butorphanol as Pre-Anaesthetic Agents Combined with Romifidine in Horses Undergoing Elective Surgery: Qualitative Assessment of Sedation and Induction. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 31;11(9).
      doi: 10.3390/ani11092572pubmed: 34573538google scholar: lookup
    13. Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 6;11(2).
      doi: 10.3390/ani11020422pubmed: 33562089google scholar: lookup
    14. Gehlen H, Jaburg N, Merle R, Winter J. Can Endocrine Dysfunction Be Reliably Tested in Aged Horses That Are Experiencing Pain?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 14;10(8).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10081426pubmed: 32824027google scholar: lookup
    15. Mitchell CF, Fugler LA, Eades SC. The management of equine acute laminitis. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:39-47.
      doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S39967pubmed: 30101095google scholar: lookup
    16. Waters LJ, Hanrahan JP, Tobin JM, Finch CV, Parkes GMB, Ahmad SA, Mohammad F, Saleem M. Enhancing the dissolution of phenylbutazone using Syloid® based mesoporous silicas for oral equine applications. J Pharm Anal 2018 Jun;8(3):181-186.
      doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2018.01.004pubmed: 29922487google scholar: lookup
    17. Ida KK, Sauvage A, Gougnard A, Grauwels M, Serteyn D, Sandersen C. Use of Nasotracheal Intubation during General Anesthesia in Two Ponies with Tracheal Collapse. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:42.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00042pubmed: 29594157google scholar: lookup
    18. Banse H, Cribb AE. Comparative efficacy of oral meloxicam and phenylbutazone in 2 experimental pain models in the horse. Can Vet J 2017 Feb;58(2):157-167.
      pubmed: 28216685
    19. Guedes A, Galuppo L, Hood D, Hwang SH, Morisseau C, Hammock BD. Soluble epoxide hydrolase activity and pharmacologic inhibition in horses with chronic severe laminitis. Equine Vet J 2017 May;49(3):345-351.
      doi: 10.1111/evj.12603pubmed: 27338788google scholar: lookup
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.