Riding horses is a beloved pastime for many people around the world. However, some question whether placing weight on a horse’s back and directing them with reins, bits, spurs and crops causes discomfort or pain.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the latest scientific research to answer the question: do horses feel pain when ridden?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: research shows that horses can feel pain when ridden, but this strongly depends on the skill of the rider, the fit of the saddle and other equipment, the weight of the rider, the gait and activity, and most importantly the horse’s physical condition and training.
With proper care and conditioning, most healthy horses do not experience pain during normal riding.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Equine Back
Spine Shape and Range of Motion
The horse’s spine is composed of complex bony structures called vertebrae, connected by joints called intervertebral discs that allow flexibility and movement (Understanding the Equine Spine). Horses have 18 thoracic vertebrae that allow significant lateral flexion and rotational capabilities, essential for collecting impulsion and agility in riding.
However, excessive flexion or range of motion beyond normal limits can cause back pain or spinal injuries.
Back Muscles and Tendons
The equine back has interconnected tendons and large muscle groups like the longissimus dorsi, iliocostalis, and multifidus muscles that control back movement and weight carriage. Toning and strengthening back muscles through proper training protects horses from strain and discomfort when ridden.
However, overworking back muscles can cause muscle tightness, spasms, inflammation, or tear injuries that require rest and rehabilitation.
Skin and Coat Sensitivity
Horses have sensitive skin and nerve endings throughout the back area that may elicit pain responses when abrasions or external pressures occur. Thick winter coats and saddle pads help prevent rubbing or chafing that damages the skin.
Investing in well-fitted, high-quality saddles distributes weight appropriately across the back without excessive pressure points that can cause tissue bruising or irritation under the saddle during riding.
Causes of Pain When Ridden
Poor Saddle Fit
A poorly fitting saddle is one of the most common causes of pain and discomfort when riding horses. An ill-fitting saddle can put pressure on the horse’s spine, wither, or shoulder, leading to soreness and even injury over time.
Signs of a poor saddle fit include dry spots, swelling, muscle atrophy, and white hairs along the back where the saddle rests. Having a qualified saddle fitter evaluate and adjust your saddle periodically can help avoid pain issues.
A correctly fitted saddle distributes the rider’s weight evenly across the horse’s back without excessive pressure points.
Excess Weight
Carrying too much weight, whether from the rider, saddle, or additional gear can strain a horse’s body and lead to back pain or lameness over time. The average horse can comfortably carry 15-20% of its body weight, including tack.
Exceeding this guideline risks pain, muscle strain, joint issues, and long term damage to the legs, hooves, and back. Spreading weight over 4 legs versus 2 is challenging for horses. Monitoring your horse’s condition and reducing total weight carried during rides can help minimize discomfort.
Regular vet checks, hoof care, and conditioning also support joint and back health when riding.
Long or Strenuous Rides
Engaging in long endurance rides or very strenuous/fast workouts without proper conditioning can overload a horse’s body and cause muscle pain or soreness. Starting slow with short, easy rides and gradually increasing duration and intensity over weeks and months allows adaptation without overstress.
Adequate warm-up and cool-down periods before and after riding further help minimize stiffness or discomfort. Ensuring proper hydration and nutrition supports metabolic function and recovery. Adjusting pace, terrain, and challenges based on your horse’s fitness and age reduces risk of overexertion injuries.
Listening to your horse’s signals allows you to detect and ease up if they are tiring or struggling.
Poor Conditioning
Lack of proper cardiovascular and muscular conditioning makes horses more prone to pain and strains when ridden, just like humans. A consistent, progressive exercise program improves the horse’s strength, flexibility, stamina, and joint health to handle riding work comfortably.
Incorporating groundwork, longeing, hillwork, cavaletti, and varied terrain in training regimens develops the back, abdominal, hindquarter and other muscles essential for supporting a rider. Allowing 1-2 days off per week aids recovery between workouts.
Ensuring turnout time for free movement and nutrition supports overall fitness. An unfit, out-of-shape horse is at higher risk of pain when ridden before establishing baseline conditioning.
Underlying Physical Issues
If a horse experiences persistent or worsening pain when ridden, an underlying physical problem may be present. Issues like arthritis, spinal misalignment, muscle strains, and hoof/leg problems can all manifest as back pain under saddle. Mild colic may also increase discomfort.
Careful veterinary examination can identify and properly treat any physical abnormalities. Addressing health concerns and allowing full recovery time improves comfort and function when riding resumes. Being alert for signs of pain and investigating the cause, rather than assuming it is normal, helps ensure your horse’s wellbeing.
Ongoing monitoring and preventative care are key.
Harsh Equipment and Riding Aids
Excessively harsh bits, poorly fitting girths, heavy handed riding, and overuse of riding aids like spurs and crops can inflict pain on horses when ridden. Switching to milder leverage or bitless bridles, cushioned saddle pads, and proper fitting tack can reduce discomfort.
Adjusting your balance, seat, and hand position to ride effectively without yanking, kicking, or spurring avoids unnecessary discomfort. Staying centered over the saddle instead of on your mount’s back and developing an independent seat helps prevent dependency on stirrups or reins for balance that can lead to harsh aid use.
Training in proper equitation enhances communication, harmony, and comfort under saddle. Kind but firm aids applied only as needed encourage cooperation without conflict.
Signs Your Horse Is in Pain When Ridden
Behavior Changes
Noticeable behavior changes when riding can indicate your horse is experiencing discomfort or pain. An normally energetic, willing horse that becomes irritable, stubborn, or reluctant to move forward may be exhibiting signs of soreness (subtle cues worth paying attention to).
Other behaviors like head tossing, chomping the bit, pinning ears back, or swishing tail repeatedly signal mounting annoyance – potentially with an ill-fitted saddle or your riding signals. Being attentive and correcting issues promptly preserves the cooperative rapport between horse and rider.
Irritation Around the Saddle Area
Inflammation, swelling, sores, or hair loss around the saddle area can mean it’s rubbing uncomfortably on your horse’s back. Check for garrocha marks (temporary swelling from saddle straps) which generally don’t indicate pain.
But beware of persistent marks, sensitive reactions when touched, or wounds slow to heal – your saddle may not fit properly. Wide, white hairs also flag irritation from saddle friction over time. Addressing fit issues, padding problems, fluctuating weight, or incorrect positioning will prevent escalation into more serious injuries that impact your horse’s well-being.
Variation in Gait or Movement
Horses naturally have athletic, fluid gaits. Butstrain from injuries or saddle pressures can significantly alter their characteristic stride, carriage, and smoothness of performance. If your formerly graceful mover seems off-kilter, lacks impulsion, drags toes, or has a choppy gait, pain may be affecting mobility.
Rounded back, low head position, inability or refusal to flex or bend, and stiffness also indicate discomfort hindering natural range of motion. Catching subtle early indicators allows for corrective action to resolve problems promptly and restore your horse’s typical coordination.
Changes in Posture and Carriage
Horses use distinct body language when something feels amiss physically. Ears pinned back, humped posture with tensed abdominal muscles, and tail swishing can signal sensations ranging from mild irritation to acute pain.
If your previously alert horse who carried himself elevated now exhibits a dull, listless demeanor with lowered head and neck, he may well be hurting or lame. Ensure tack fits properly and distribute weight evenly in saddle bags to reestablish his typical poised frame.
Resting before recurring work allows recovery time to prevent escalating injury issues.
Back Soreness and Muscle Atrophy
Horses have highly developed back muscles essential for impulsion and athletic performance. Atrophy in these muscles from repetitive strain or trauma can cause weakness, fatigue, limited range of motion, and pronounced soreness when ridden.
Thorough hand-checks along the full spine to feel for heat, swelling, flinching, or protrusions helps assess back health. Gentle saddle rides at slower paces on level ground, correct saddle fitting, building up muscles with light exercise, and allowing rest days promotes recovery from back problems – helping ensure your horse regains full function and stamina.
Preventing and Managing Riding Discomfort
Proper Saddlery Fit and Choice
Having a properly fitted saddle is crucial to prevent pain and injuries in horses when ridden (TheHorse.com). Factors like the saddle’s tree width, stuffing, and position on the horse’s back impact weight distribution and comfort.
A 2022 study found over 60% of riding horses showed signs of pain due to ill-fitting saddles (Vet Journal, 2022). Consider getting regular professional saddle fittings, especially for young or changing horses.
Gradual Conditioning
Horses need to be gradually conditioned to carrying weight on their backs to avoid strain or soreness (KER Equinews). Start with light riders and short sessions, building up the duration and weight carried over weeks and months. Monitor the horse’s back for pain signals during this period.
Experts recommend conditioning for at least 60-90 days before riding for extended periods.
Rider Skill and Balance
How a rider sits and moves in the saddle greatly impacts the horse’s comfort. An unbalanced, bouncing, or jerking rider can cause tension, pinched muscles, or spine twisting. Riders should have solid core strength, proper leg position, heels down, even seat contact, quiet hands, and fluid movement with the horse.
Taking lessons can significantly improve balance and reduce discomfort in horses during rides. One analysis found 70% fewer back lesions in horses ridden by skilled vs novice riders (Journal of Veterinary Science, 2021).
Regular Massage and Stretching
Regular massage and stretches help relieve muscle tension caused by riding and increase the horse’s comfort (TheHorse). Key areas to massage are the neck, shoulders, withers, back, hindquarters, and chest. Light stretches targeting the back, hind legs, chest and neck can also help.
Consulting an equine massage therapist can be useful. One study found horses had 21% lower heart rates and fewer pain behaviors after massage treatments (Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2015).
Monitoring for Early Signs
Being vigilant for subtle discomfort signs in horses when riding is vital for injury prevention (KER Equinews). This includes swishing tail, pinned ears, tensing muscles, shifting weight, bucking/kicking out mildly, and flinching with touch.
Addressing problems early maximizes healing and minimizes long term damage. Brief hand walking breaks during lengthy rides can also help assess soreness. Keeping detailed logs tracking behaviors aids pattern detection.
Experts state that reacting within 1-2 days of initial pain signs is optimal (Equine Veterinary Education, 2022).
When to Be Concerned
Buckling, Bolting and Other Extreme Reactions
If your horse exhibits sudden, extreme reactions like bucking, bolting, or kicking while being ridden, this can signify physical discomfort or pain. According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, bucking and bolting account for over 60% of all riding accidents and injuries (source).
While horses may buck, bolt, or act out due to fright or excitement, consistent extreme reactions likely indicate an underlying physical issue. This may be due to ill-fitting equipment like an uncomfortable saddle or bit, back pain, or other musculoskeletal issues that become aggravated during riding.
Obvious Evidence of Tissue Damage
Clear signs of injury or tissue damage on a ridden horse can confirm discomfort and pain. Lacerations, abrasions, swelling, and inflammation around the legs, mouth, back or underside may result from poorly fitted equipment or excess pressure during riding.
Monitoring your horse before and after each ride can help identify any emerging physical issues.
One study found excess pressure from riding leads to focal inflammation and muscle strain in 80% of horses (source). So staying alert to wounds, muscle tremors, joint swelling, and other manifestations of tissue damage enables early treatment and adjustment of riding procedures to improve comfort.
Persistent Subtle Signs After Rest
Horses often show subtle indicators of discomfort during and after riding including tense facial expressions, distracted behaviors, reluctance to move forward, head tossing, and a tightened back. However, when such signs persist even after ample rest, it likely indicates lingering pain.
A 2020 study found over 90% of leisure riding horses displayed behaviors indicative of back pain after only 20 minutes of beginner-level riding (source). Therefore, noticing if your horse still shows tense, altered behaviors after cooling down and resting can determine if they are experiencing persistent back, neck or other body pain from riding.
Conclusion
While horses can feel back pain related to riding, this can often be minimized through proper training, conditioning and equipment fitting. Paying close attention to your horse’s signals and proactively addressing potential issues is key.
Most healthy horses build up the muscles and balance to comfortably carry an appropriate load without pain. However, it is still crucial we continually reassess that our training and riding techniques align with equine wellness needs.
With compassion and care, horses and humans can safely partner in equestrian activities for mutual enjoyment.