Can you recognise when a horse is in pain?

Research indicates that many horse owners, riders, and equine professionals often struggle to recognise pain and discomfort in horses. Pain is one of the most common causes of behavioural problems and pain-related behaviours are often misinterpreted or dismissed as ‘bad behaviour’.


If a horse has a major injury it is easy to see signs of discomfort immediately – most riders and owners can identify a limping horse. However, it is much harder to tell if a horse is experiencing chronic, or low-level pain. 


Recognising when a horse is suffering is vital for their health, welfare and quality of life. 
 
This instructor-led course will give you a practical understanding of equine pain. Veterinary behaviourist Roxane Kirton, equine behaviour consultant Justine Harrison and veterinary physiotherapist Holly Gallacher will look at how to recognise and assess equine pain and discomfort from physiological and behavioural perspectives. 


You will have access to 4 weeks of learning – including video lessons, group Zoom meetings for weekly live chat, discussion in a dedicated forum, real-life case studies and practical advice.


You will learn:


• What pain is and how it affects the horse


• The relationship between pain and behaviour


• The behavioural indicators of pain


• How to identify subtle signs of discomfort in the horse


• How to recognise pain in the ridden horse


• How to perform a clinical assessment


• How to identify forelimb and hindlimb lameness


• How to identify biomechanical dysfunction 


• The biomechanics of engagement


• Case studies



This course is aimed at horse owners, students and equestrian professionals interested in learning about equine pain. You don't need any prior knowledge to take this course, it is open to everyone.


The course runs for 4 weeks.

All course material will be available for 30 days after the course has finished.

STARTS 12 APRIL 2025

  • 13 Days
  • 01 Hours
  • 50 Minutes
  • 06 Seconds

Course curriculum

    1. Navigate your course

    2. Reading List

    1. Part 1: Understanding Equine Pain

    2. Part 2: Understanding Equine Pain

    3. Zoom Meeting #1: 15 April 7pm BST (UTC+1)

    4. Quiz: Understanding Equine Pain

    1. Part 1: Recognising Behavioural Signs of Pain

    2. Part 2: Recognising Behavioural Signs of Pain

    3. Part 3: Recognising Pain in the Ridden Horse

    4. Zoom Meeting #2: 22 April 7pm BST (UTC+1)

    5. Quiz: Recognising Equine Pain

    1. Part 1: Identifying Pain and Dysfunction

    2. Part 2: The Clinical Assessment

    3. Part 3: The Clinical Assessment

    4. Part 4: Case Study

    5. Zoom Meeting #3: 29 April 7pm BST (UTC+1)

    6. Quiz: Identifying Pain and Dysfunction

    1. Zoom Meeting #4: 8 May 7pm BST (UTC+1)

    2. Quiz: Assessing Pain

About this course

  • £199.00
  • 19 lessons

Who is this course for?

  • HORSE OWNERS

  • EQUINE STUDENTS

  • EQUINE PROFESSIONALS

Continuing Professional Development (CPD/CEU)

  • Course Contents

    Video lessons, 4 x live Zoom meetings, community discussions, video analysis of real-life case studies, community discussions and 4 x quizzes.

  • Course Duration

    4 weeks

  • CPD/CEU Certificate

    You can download a personalised CPD/CEU certificate after completing the course material and the final quiz.

  • KPA

    This course has been approved for 9 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the Karen Pryor Association (KPA). Once you have completed the course you can contact us for an event code, then email both code and CEU certificate to the KPA.

  • IAAT

    Understand Horses is a trusted partner of the International Association of Animal Therapists, offering external CPD courses for its members.

Learn how to assess equine pain and discomfort

Your Coach

STARTS 12 APRIL 2025

Introductory Price of £199