Dr Sue Dyson's Equine Pain Ethogram Under Saddle — 24 Signs Every Rider Should Know

Your horse increasingly tosses its head, fusses during saddling, wags its tail at a trot, and takes the wrong lead at a canter. The trainer says: "He's being stubborn, you need to ride him through it." A stablemate says: "He's become unruly in old age." The internet suggests: "Not enough work, more discipline."

But what if none of these explanations are true — and your horse is simply suffering under saddle?

British veterinarian Dr. Sue Dyson has dedicated over four decades to researching lameness and orthopedics in sport horses. In 2017, she published a tool that changed the way the equestrian world views horse behavior under saddle — the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE). This is a list of 24 observable signs that statistically indicate musculoskeletal pain.

For the conscious rider, this tool changes everything. You stop evaluating the horse in terms of "obedient - disobedient" and start reading it as a patient with specific symptoms. In this article, we will guide you through all 24 signs, show you how to assess your horse yourself, and what to do if the result indicates pain.

Who is Dr. Sue Dyson and what exactly is the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram?

For many years, Dr. Sue Dyson headed the clinical department of the Centre for Equine Studies at the Animal Health Trust in the UK — one of the most important centers for orthopedic research on sport horses in Europe. Her achievements include hundreds of publications in peer-reviewed veterinary journals, including Equine Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education, and co-authorship of textbooks such as Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse.

An ethogram, in ethological terminology, is a catalog of behaviors characteristic of a given species. The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram narrows this concept to a specific context — horse behaviors under a rider that statistically correlate with pain. Dr. Dyson and her team analyzed hundreds of hours of recordings of clinically healthy horses and horses with documented lameness to identify 24 markers whose presence has diagnostic value.

Key finding of the study: a horse without pain shows an average of 2–3 of these 24 behaviors, most often in situations of natural tension (new arena, fresh wind, young horse). A horse with musculoskeletal pain shows 8 or more of them. The threshold of eight behaviors has a 97% diagnostic accuracy in Dyson's studies — almost as high as a classic clinical lameness examination.

This is not soft theory. It is a tool with a strong statistical background, used today by orthopedic veterinarians, saddle fitters, and trainers worldwide.

Why the myth of a "lazy" or "unruly" horse can cost your horse's health

In the Polish equestrian environment, terms that Dr. Dyson explicitly calls an obstacle to diagnosis are still alive: a horse is lazy, unruly, stubborn, capricious, ill-mannered. These are labels, not diagnoses. What's more — in the vast majority of cases Dr. Dyson encountered in the clinic, such behaviors turned out to be a sign of pain, not character.

Think about it from a biological perspective. A horse is a flight animal, whose primary survival strategy is to not show weakness — because that disqualifies it from the safety of the herd. A horse in pain does not scream. A horse in pain tries to keep working until the pain exceeds a threshold it can no longer overcome. Then subtle changes appear — imperceptible to the inexperienced eye, but consistent, repetitive, and in line with the ethogram.

For the recreational rider, the trap sounds like this: the trainer suggests "ride stronger," "don't give in," "the horse is trying to take control." The rider complies. The horse works through pain, with worse biomechanics, compensates with its sides, strains structures it shouldn't. After six months of such work, we have a serious orthopedic problem — where before there was only a simple, correctable dysfunction.

Dr. Dyson's ethogram does not replace a veterinarian. The ethogram allows you to notice a problem before it becomes permanent.

24 signs of pain — full list

For observation purposes, we divide the signs into three groups: behaviors visible on the horse's face, in its body, and in its movement. The numbering maintains the order from the original research protocol.

Signs from the horse's face

1. Repeated changes in head position — the head goes up and down, sideways, more than three times in a short period.
2. Head tilted to the side — the horse carries its head crooked and does so repeatedly.
3. Head clearly in front of the vertical — nose protrudes forward by more than 30° from the vertical, for at least 10 seconds.
4. Head clearly behind the vertical — nose tucked behind the vertical by more than 10°, for at least 10 seconds. This is one of the most commonly mistaken signs, as it is sometimes interpreted as "the horse is in contact."
5. Frequent head tossing, neck twisting — the head is not stable, the horse constantly changes position.
6. Ears pinned flat back — for at least 5 seconds. This is not about a brief flick of the ear — it's about sustained tension.
7. Closed or half-closed eyelids — for 2 to 5 seconds. This is a marker of severe discomfort.
8. Repeatedly visible sclera (white of the eye) — the horse shows the whites of its eyes, even though there is no real threat in its field of vision.
9. Intense, rigid staring — for at least 5 seconds, without justification from the surroundings.
10. Opening the mouth with teeth separated — for at least 10 seconds.
11. Tongue protruding — extended, hanging, or repeatedly retracted and extended.
12. Bit pulled to one side of the mouth — the horse moves the bit to the left or right itself.

Signs from the body and posture

13. Tail strongly clamped to the hindquarters or held to the side — stiff, static, not loose.
14. Intense tail swishing — large movements up-down, sideways, circular, especially in transitions between gaits.

Signs in motion

15. Hurrying gait — at trot over 40 steps in 15 seconds, irregular rhythm at trot or canter, repetitive changes of pace.
16. Gait too slow or resembling passage — at trot below 35 steps in 15 seconds.
17. Hind legs not following front legs' tracks — the horse goes "sideways," trots or canters on three tracks.
18. Repeated lead changes in canter — front or hind, repeatedly taking the wrong lead, disunited canter.
19. Spontaneous gait changes — the horse changes from canter to trot or trot to canter by itself, without rider's command.
20. Repeated stumbling, tripping with hind toes.
21. Sudden changes of direction against the rider, sudden spooks.
22. Reluctance to move forward — the horse requires stronger leg, voice, urging, stops by itself.
23. Rearing — both front legs lift off the ground.
24. Bucking, kicking back.

One should not immediately conclude pain from each of these behaviors — individual signs can be a reaction to the environment, young age, or inexperience. Diagnostic value appears with their accumulation.

How to assess your horse yourself — step by step

The ethogram works best under standard, unforced working conditions. Here's how to conduct the observation to ensure reliable data.

Step 1 — recording. Ask a friend to record 5–10 minutes of typical work for you and your horse. Ideally, walk, trot, and canter on both reins, several transitions between gaits, and a few circular lines. No specific dressage tasks — it's about basic work.

Step 2 — camera angle and distance. Dr. Dyson's protocol indicates that recording from a distance that shows the entire horse with its head is a priority. Close-ups of the muzzle and tail should be added separately.

Step 3 — calm analysis. Watch the recording calmly, not in the stable, not in a hurry. Preferably on a laptop, with the ability to rewind. With the list of 24 signs next to you, mark each one you observe.

Step 4 — careful interpretation. A sign "counts" when it meets the criteria described in the ethogram — e.g., head behind the vertical for 10 seconds, not for one second. Here, the honesty of observation is key.

Step 5 — comparison with previous behavior. If several signs occur regularly for months, and they weren't there before, it's a strong argument for pain.

This tool requires objectivity, not emotions. It's easy to convince oneself that "our horse only does this sometimes." A single, dispassionately evaluated recording tells the truth.

Result of 8 or more signs — what next?

A threshold of eight signs is not a diagnosis, but an indication for further veterinary diagnostics. This is how Dr. Dyson interpreted it in her clinical studies, and how veterinarians using this tool interpret it in practice today.

What to do specifically:

• Contact an orthopedic veterinarian, not a general veterinarian. State directly that you are observing a pattern consistent with the Dyson ethogram — this signals to the vet that you expect a lameness examination, not a general check-up.
• Prepare a recording. A good 5–10-minute video from various gaits and directions gives the orthopedic veterinarian a huge advantage at the first visit.
• Stop specialized training. Jumping, intensive dressage, demanding work in the field — limited to an absolute minimum until diagnosis.
• Check equipment — saddle, girth, bridle, bit. This is often a source of pain even in horses that are clinically sound orthopedically.

The worst reaction at this point is "we'll work harder and it will pass." The ethogram pattern does not disappear with discipline — it only disappears when the cause of the pain is removed.

Most common causes of pain under saddle — what to check first

Dr. Dyson's research and orthopedic clinical practice reveal a recurring list of sources of pain under saddle. Each of these needs to be verified — some independently, others with an appropriate specialist.

Ill-fitting saddle. This is, statistically, the most common single cause of ethogram signs. A saddle that fit when purchased may no longer fit after a year of the horse working — the horse changes musculature, condition, and shoulder angle. Professional saddle fitting, conducted by a qualified saddle fitter, is a starting point in such a case, not a luxury. If you are buying a new saddle or diagnosing a problem with an existing one, it is worth looking for equipment designed for the real anatomy of the horse's back — in this context, Prestige Italia saddles work well, offering a wide range of jumping and dressage models with different chamber and seat profiles, individually fitted. At Equishop, fitting is handled by the Fitting Center in Ruda Śląska, where Monika Zastrzeżyńska-Rychwalska oversees the process.

Improperly chosen saddle pad. A saddle pad is not an aesthetic accessory — its task is to absorb shock and manage heat on the back. A too thin, worn out, or poorly profiled saddle pad can worsen the fit of even a good saddle. In the case of horses with specific back conformation (sunken wither, muscular asymmetry), appropriately selected cotton and corrective saddle pads become part of the solution, not just a cosmetic detail.

Bit and bridle. Ethogram signs 10-12 (opening mouth, tongue, bit to the side) very often lead directly to a problem with bridle fit, bit diameter, or bit type. Anatomical bridles that bypass the trigeminal nerve, and bits selected to the horse's mouth anatomy, are crucial here. [link to be added: anatomical bridles category]

Underinvested footing, training asymmetries, dental problems. The list is long. The horse's teeth, farrier, arena footing — all these elements can generate ethogram signs, so diagnosis should be multidisciplinary.

Equestrian equipment and pain signs — a checklist for self-verification

Before calling a vet, you have a few things you can check in 30 minutes:

• Does the saddle sit evenly when the horse is standing still? Transverse asymmetry when standing still is a red flag.
• Is there about four fingers' width between the horse's shoulder and the front part of the saddle after placing the saddle?
• Does the girth not start just behind the horse's elbow (chafing, pressure)?
• Does the bridle not pinch the buccal nerve — does the noseband not rest on the nasal cartilage?
• Does the bit lie evenly, does the horse not chew on it, not push it to the side?
• Are the stirrup leathers even to the millimeter (uneven stirrup leathers are a common cause of riding asymmetry, which directly translates to horse pain)?

Each of these points can generate a single ethogram sign. A combination of several such irregularities creates a picture that, in the ethogram assessment, looks like orthopedic pain — but in reality, is the sum of minor equipment errors.

If you want to professionally verify the fit of your horse's saddle, we invite you to the Equishop Fitting Center at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska. We conduct saddle fitting sessions using Prestige Italia test saddles. If you are also interested in the topic of riding safety in another dimension, we recommend our overview of safety stirrups for riders — operating on a similar philosophy: technology in service of well-being.

FAQ — most common questions about the Dyson pain ethogram

Does the ethogram work for every horse, regardless of discipline?

The ethogram has been validated on horses working in dressage, show jumping, eventing, and recreational horses. There are no significant differences in its application between disciplines — pain signals are largely universal. In endurance and racehorses, the tool is less validated but still used.

Can my horse show 4–5 signs and NOT be in pain?

Yes. The threshold of 8 signs is a threshold of statistical certainty. A result of 4–5 most often means a mix of tension, inexperience, environmental factors, and minor discomforts. If the result consistently remains above 4 signs for weeks, that is also a reason for deeper observation — not a diagnosis, but a warning.

How often should the assessment be repeated?

For normal, healthy work: once every six months. After changing equipment (new saddle, new bit): two weeks after the change. After resuming work after a break / injury: three times in the first month of resumed work.

Does the ethogram replace a veterinarian?

No, and it never will. The ethogram is an initial observation tool, whose purpose is to identify a problem. The diagnosis always belongs to the veterinarian, preferably an orthopedic specialist, with access to imaging studies.

Are there veterinarians in Poland who work with the Dyson ethogram?

Yes. Veterinarians specializing in sports horse orthopedics use RHpE as one of the tools in clinical history taking. When scheduling an appointment, it's worth asking directly if the vet knows and uses this tool.

Awareness instead of labels

Dr. Sue Dyson's ethogram is not an exotic academic tool. It is daily, practical support for every rider who wants to treat their horse as a partner, not sports equipment. Every horse that "has become stubborn," that "has become unruly," that "has become difficult" — deserves 10 minutes of recording and an honest assessment according to the 24 points of the ethogram.

In premium horsemanship, to which the Polish equestrian community aspires, horse welfare is not an addition — it is a foundation. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in its Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse clearly states: the welfare of the horse has absolute priority over the demands of training and sport. Dyson's ethogram is a practical translation of this principle into daily stable work.

If, after reading this text, you would like to reconsider the fit of your horse's equipment or consult with the Equishop saddle fitting team, we invite you to our stationary store in Ruda Śląska. It is often there, on a real horse and with a real saddle, that those first four to five ethogram signs disappear during a single session.