ridden horse pain ethogram - The Horse Physio - Sue Palmer

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28.11.2024 Behind the Scenes with Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio

By Sue Palmer on November 28, 2024

Essential Tools, Expert Guidance, and a Horse’s Journey Two Things I Couldn’t Live Without Alright, “couldn’t live without” might be an exaggeration, but there are two items I rely on heavily, especially during the colder months. First is my Ororo heated gilet, a lifesaver when I’m working outdoors. I wear it under my layers, and it keeps me warm all day long. I even bought a second battery because I use it on the hottest setting! Second is my massage gun, which I’ve had for years. It’s my go-to for relieving tight muscles, whether it’s my neck, shoulders, or legs. It’s been a huge help with everything from yoga strains to heel pain. As a physio, I researched thoroughly to find the best one—and it’s worth every penny. If you’re curious, I’ve shared affiliate links to these items. They don’t cost you extra, but they help me continue recommending tools I believe in. Curious about recognising pain in horses or bit fitting? I also touch on those topics and share how the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram helped me assess an 18-year-old mare recently. She’s on a tailored program now, focused on gentle hacking and strengthening exercises to address subtle signs of discomfort. These tools and techniques make my work more rewarding—and if you’d like to learn more about assessing your own horse’s comfort, check out my book, Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr. Sue Dyson. Happy horsing! 🐴

Understanding the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram and the Journey Behind Harmonious Horsemanship

By Sue Palmer on November 21, 2024

Dr Sue Dyson’s Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram identifies 24 behavioural markers that can indicate discomfort. Our book, Harmonious Horsemanship, makes this science accessible, helping riders recognise pain and improve horse welfare. We’re committed to sharing this knowledge through education and welcome collaboration to make a difference for horses everywhere.

The Art and Science of Harmonious Horsemanship

By Sue Palmer on October 18, 2024

You know that feeling when you watch something that conjures up emotions so powerful you will remember it for the rest of your life? The film "Horses and the Science of Harmony" is one of those... This full-length feature film examines the nature of harmony between horse and rider through the eyes of 3-day event rider Bubby Upton through the lens of cutting-edge science. Horses and the Science of Harmony tells the emotional story of Bubby Upton, a rising star in British 3-day eventing, who suffered a catastrophic spinal injury yet bravely fought to get back to doing what she loves… riding.

Horses In Pain: The Link With Behaviour

By Sue Palmer on May 9, 2024

What got you interested in the links between pain and behaviour in horses? Perhaps there is a particular horse that has come into your life, or a past situation that you would like to understand better? Maybe you wish that you'd known then what you know now, so that you could do things differently? Here, in an extract from the preface, I explain how and why I came to write Harmonious Horsemanship with Dr Sue Dyson. In this informative book, we explain how the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram is essential in recognising pain in ridden horses.

Don’t wait until your horse is in pain to check their comfort levels!

By Sue Palmer on April 28, 2024

I’m frustrated at horses being labelled as naughty when they’re actually lame or in pain. How else is a horse supposed to tell you that he’s hurting other than through his behaviour? Since you’re reading this, I know you share my frustration. We know that just about everyone loves their horse and wants the best for him. You’d be devastated if he was in pain and you didn’t know about it. So, to help owners and riders be more confident that their horse is comfortable, I’ve put together this short video and blog, which I’d appreciate it if you would share widely on your favourite social media channel. Here are three simple exercises you can do on a daily basis to check that your horse is comfortable.

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram: A Tool for Equine Wellness and Performance

By Sue Palmer on April 14, 2024

Join me on a journey as we delve into the significance of 'Harmonious Horsemanship' and the transformative Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram! Let’s uncover insights shared during a recent webinar I presented with Dr. Sue Dyson hosted by Gillian Higgins of Horses Inside Out.

How Pain Affects Your Horse

By Sue Palmer on April 7, 2024

In any subject, there are key areas to consider. In this lesson, ‘How Pain Affects Your Horse’, I’ll discuss the ‘5W’s’ of pain, the what, why, when, where, and who. I’ll also include the ‘H’ of ‘how’. What is ‘pain’? The International Association for the Study of Pain (ISAP) defines pain as "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.” Short-term pain is called ‘acute pain’, and long-term pain is called ‘persistent’ or ‘chronic’ pain. Pain that comes and goes is called ‘recurrent’ or ‘intermittent’. Pain is a complex phenomenon involving our whole body, and the experience of pain can change from one day to the next.

Why does my horse buck?

By Sue Palmer on March 16, 2024

“There can’t be much wrong with him if he can keep bucking people off the way he does”, is how I was greeted at a yard recently. I know I’m preaching to the converted here, so it’s safe to vent my frustration. I’ve put years into writing ‘Brain, Pain, or Training’ and then more into writing ‘Harmonious Horsemanship’ in partnership with Dr Sue Dyson. Dr Dyson has spent years developing the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (also known as the Ridden Horse Performance Checklist - you can download a FREE PDF here) and ensuring that multiple robust scientific studies back up the list of 24 behaviours. That’s on top of the hundreds of scientific papers she’s been involved in around horse health. And that’s just me and Dr Dyson. There’s a worldwide conversation around social license for equestrianism. Discussions around horse welfare are at the top of the Paris Olympics agenda.

Is ridden work important in an equine lameness assessment?

By Sue Palmer on April 13, 2023

A rider may feel a change in their horse’s performance during ridden exercise, but when assessed moving in hand, the horse is not detectably lame. Some people then use the term ‘bridle lameness’, with the assumption that the gait irregularity is in some way caused by the rider and is not related to the horse’s discomfort.

The rider size debate and the welfare of ridden horses

By Sue Palmer on February 16, 2023

All riders must take ownership of their responsibilities for their horse’s welfare. None of us wants to do a horse harm, but through lack of awareness, we sometimes do so. Food for thought.

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