From his behavior and posture to the expression on his face, your horse can speak volumes without saying a word. You just need to pick up on the clues, especially when it comes to detecting pain.

The most subtle — but often telling — signs of pain revolve around changes in behavior. A hurting horse may be restless or depressed with a lack of interest in what’s going on. She might stand alone in the paddock or in the back of the stall with her head lowered, uninterested in socializing.

In contrast, pain makes some horses aggressive. They might rear up when ridden, be hypersensitive to a touch or display other changes in demeanor or performance.

Knowing your horse helps alert you to when he needs help. Using behavioral clues, you and your veterinarian can team up to provide it.