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As horse lovers, we all share a common goal: to ensure our horses are happy, healthy, and comfortable. Yet, it’s not always easy to tell when a horse is in pain. This challenge has driven some of the most important work in modern equestrian science, including the development of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) by Dr Sue Dyson, whose expertise and passion have transformed how we think about equine welfare.
The RHpE is a tool that identifies 24 behavioural markers
The RHpE is a tool that identifies 24 behavioural markers, the presence of eight or more of which may indicate pain in a ridden horse. These behaviours are easy to observe if you know what to look for, and they can make a crucial difference in recognising when something isn’t quite right. For example, the list of 24 includes behaviours like an unwillingness to go forward, tail swishing, or repeated head tossing. If a ridden horse shows eight of more of this list of 24, this can point to underlying discomfort. By using the RHpE, riders, trainers, and horse owners can better understand their horse’s experience and address potential issues before they become more serious.
When Dr Sue Dyson and I co-authored Harmonious Horsemanship, we did so with the hope of making these insights widely accessible. We poured our knowledge and experience into the book, incorporating case studies and contributions from experts around the globe to emphasise the importance of recognising and responding to pain in ridden horses. We passionately believe that every horse person should have a grasp of the science underpinning equine welfare. Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding and a commitment to listening to our horses’ needs.
Scientific research can inform everyday practices in the equestrian world
One of the core messages of our book Harmonious Horsemanship is that scientific research can inform everyday practices in the equestrian world. The RHpE, backed by robust science, offers a practical way to do just that. The case studies in the book illustrate how subtle behavioural changes can signal pain, and they highlight how making even small adjustments can lead to huge improvements in our horses’ well-being.
I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside Dr Dyson to raise awareness of the RHpE and to bring this valuable information to the equestrian community. We are committed to integrating Harmonious Horsemanship into educational programs worldwide. From universities to riding clubs, we hope that this knowledge will become a foundational part of how horse people everywhere approach riding, training, and caring for their equine partners.
The journey is far from over, and we’re excited to build a network that brings Harmonious Horsemanship into the mainstream. If you are connected to educational institutions, equestrian courses, or riding clubs—or if you know someone who is—I’d love to hear from you. We’re also available for online presentations and in-person seminars, where Dr Dyson can share her insights directly.
Together, we can give our horses the gift they deserve: a life that is pain-free, joyful, and fulfilling. For more information or to get in touch, visit my website, The Horse Physio. Let’s make the world a better place for our horses, one ride at a time.
About Sue Dyson
Sue Dyson qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a year in private equine practice in Pennsylvania, Sue returned to Great Britain to the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Sue ran a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance, attracting clients from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe for 37 years. From 2019 she has worked as an independent consultant, combining her horsemanship skills with her previous veterinary experience, with the aim of maximising performance potential.
Sue’s key interests are improving the diagnosis of lameness and poor performance and maximising the opportunity for horses to fulfil their athletic potential at whatever level, taking a holistic approach to the horse, rider and tack combination, and improving approaches to diagnosis and management. She has been involved not only in providing clinical services, but also clinically relevant research and education. Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 370 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging and has lectured worldwide to veterinarians, paraprofessionals, coaches, riders and judges.
Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is currently scientific advisor to the Saddle Research Trust and Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre. Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses from novice to top national level in both eventing and show jumping. Sue holds the Instructors and Stable Managers Certificates of the British Horse Society (BHSI).
About Sue Palmer
Sue Palmer MCSP, aka The Horse Physio, is an award-winning author, educator, and Chartered Physiotherapist. Sue specialises in understanding the links between equine pain and behaviour, focusing on prevention, partnership and performance. She promotes the kind and fair treatment of horses through empathetic education, and is registered with the RAMP, the ACPAT, the IHA, the CSP and the HCPC.
To arrange a phone call or online coaching session with Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio, click here.
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You can find The Horse Physio on the web, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on YouTube, book an online consultation, or take a look at Sue’s online courses.
Horse Health Check: The 10-Point Plan for Physical Wellness
Head to Hoof: An Introduction to Horse Massage
Horse Massage for Horse Owners
Stretching Your Horse: A Guide to Keeping Your Equine Friend Happy and Healthy
Kissing Spines In Horses: Preventive Measures and Long-Term Management Solutions
Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr Sue Dyson
Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?
Horse Massage for Horse Owners
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