Equine Pain Assessment Sheet

Horses instinctively mask their discomfort, making it difficult to assess their true pain level. As a responsible horse owner, it is crucial to recognize early signs of pain, especially during post-operative recovery or during the management of chronic conditions. This pain assessment sheet is based on a combination of current equine pain scales and provides a simple method to assess pain levels based on physical and behavioural indicators. Therefore, it represents a useful tool for tracking your horse’s recovery and communicating effectively with your treating veterinarian.

This guide will allow you to:

• Identify key pain indicators.
• Monitor daily changes in pain levels.
• Improve decision-making regarding veterinary intervention and necessary pain management.
• Ensure better welfare and recovery outcomes for your horse.
• Learn how to track your horse's vital signs.