Musculoskeletal pain

Ann-Helena Hokkanen

Pain from various musculoskeletal problems is widespread in horses. It can, for example, arise from injuries and diseases of the ligaments, tendons, bones, muscles, and fascia.

    

Musculoskeletal pain symptoms are very variable. Perceived pain can cause changes in the horse's facial expressions, behavior, and movement. Lameness, stiffness, and touch sensitivities are common. The most common causes of lameness among horses are osteoarthritis, aseptic arthritis, and different injuries of tendons and ligaments. 

Myofascial pain is pain arising from muscles and fascia in the body. It is thought to be very common in animals, but it has not yet been studied extensively. In horses, skeletal muscles comprise a massive part of the body's total weight and can, therefore, be a considerable source of pain and functional impairment.

If your horse is unwilling to move or you notice something unusual in its movement, your veterinarian should examine it for lameness. Myofascial pain is so prevalent in horses that regular massage or physiotherapy could benefit most patients, especially horses suffering from persistent pain. Moreover, regular massage improves welfare and prevents injuries. Massage and other manual therapies relieve pain, reduce stress, improve flexibility and range of motion, reduce the risk of re-injury, and improve performance.