Horses and the Science of Harmony

Equine behaviors of the head and neck are quite easy to perceive, lending themselves to be prominent in discussions about welfare. However, it is important to understand the complexity of these behaviors.

While they can be related to rider biomechanics, they may also be attributed to underlying musculoskeletal discomfort, and they could be influenced by both at the same time! Making the effort to parse out these details ensures the best outcome for any individual horse, contributes to the development of rider skills, and adds nuance to the overall ridden horse welfare conversation.

In this discussion with Dr. Sue Dyson.. we take a closer look at these behaviors of the Ridden Horse Checklist.

Recent events at the World Cup in Switzerland are just one example of the fact that horse sports are under increasingly greater scrutiny, and there is a growing interest in assuring the welfare of ridden horses. It is a  positive development that facial expressions are being recognized as measurable indicators of soundness and welfare, but it is important that these behaviors and their potential interpretations be clearly understood by all parties. 

Of the 24 Behaviors included in the the Ridden Horse Pain Checklist (RHpE), seven of them, (nearly ⅓) are facial markers. They can be subtle, challenging to see from a distance, and in some cases they can be some of the more difficult behaviors for people to learn to track. What’s more, there are actually a few more facial markers including lips and nostrils which are important to monitor, and although they are not included in the RHpE diagnostic tool, a recent study found some of these to be statistically significant. 

In this discussion with Dr. Sue Dyson, we take an in-depth look at facial expressions during riding, how best to observe them, and what they can tell you about how your horse is feeling.

Footing is a key element of ridden horse performance and orthopedic health. It’s important to understand the fundamentals that determine the safety and quality of the surfaces we ride on, because the consequences of a wrong decision can be serious.

Dr Sue Dyson and the train with Trust Project discuss the factors that contribute to the best footing for soundness, common mistakes people make, and what you can do to ensure you are helping your horse stay sound from the ground up.

Suppleness and stability are essential building blocks of the equine athlete, but what are they? Do you know how to identify them by look and feel? What role do genetics and soundness play?

Definitions of these principles, even in rule books and judging criteria, are subjective descriptions of a feeling or a sequence of visible markers and can be unclear and difficult to grasp. Dr. Sue Dyson and the Train with Trust Project take a look at these concepts and attempt to help you demystify and decode them.

Q&A Recording: Dr. Sue Dyson and the Train with Trust Project discuss the difference between a horse’s posture, conformation, muscle development and body condition score. We then we take a closer look at how evaluating posture will give you clues about your horse’s musculoskeletal health and help you recognize underlying pain and discomfort.

Q&A Recording: Dr. Sue Dyson and the Train with Trust Project discuss the relationship between soundness and muscle development, as well as other visual indicators of correct training.

Q&A Recording: There are many questions and opinions about nosebands, so this can sometimes be a controversial and confusing subject. In this Q&A session we take a closer look at what evidence there is to inform the best use of nosebands.

From understanding the role of various styles of nosebands and navigating the complexities of fit and potential health impacts, we’ll discuss the existing evidence on nosebands’ contribution to pain and nerve damage, and what aspects still need to be studied.

This critical information will provide a foundation of understanding for making daily equipment decisions, as well as allowing for a constructive discussion around some of the thornier aspects of the noseband debate.

Q&A Recording: The Ridden Horse Checklist (RHpE) and The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain film have increased general awareness of the fact that a horse’s level of willingness and quality of performance provide us with valuable information about their health.

To get the fullest benefit of the RHpE as well as the Additional Behaviors checklist, proper application & tracking over time are keys to success. Find out how you can ensure that the checklists will truly serve as tools for early diagnosis.

Q&A Recording: Recent high-profile events have pointed to concerns regarding the wellbeing of horses in human care. The conversations that follow often bring about polarization and conflict rather than fruitful discussion toward the safeguarding of equine welfare, which is undoubtedly a shared value among stakeholders. 

With the intention of facilitating greater cooperation and consensus, Dr. Sue Dyson and the Train with Trust Project bring an evidence-based lens to help clarify some of the difficult sticking points within a number of “hot topics” in the equine world.

Q&A Recording: Purchasing a performance horse can be fraught with challenges and conflicts. Fortunately, the 24 Behaviors Checklist is an objective assessment tool anyone can use to take some of the mystery out of evaluating a horse’s orthopedic health at the very outset of the process.

Dr. Sue Dyson discusses the role of the checklist, and many other insightful recommendations that will empower you to make pre-purchase exams as effective, efficient and accurate as possible.

Q&A Recording: With her unique perspective as a high-level competitive rider and equine orthopedic veterinary expert, Dr. Sue Dyson has particular insights as to how you can find a vet who will be a good fit for you and your horse, as well as recommendations for how you can be a valuable member within a team approach to their care.

Q&A Recording: Does your horse fuss and fidget in the cross-ties, or maybe show resistance at the mounting block? It could be that your horse is trying to tell you something. Dr. Sue Dyson has studied the behavior of horses during tacking and mounting and her findings will probably surprise you.

Q&A Recording: Have you ever noticed yourself having joint or back pain related to riding one specific horse? Have you noticed your horse’s canter becoming “bumpy” or “jarring”? Ever have difficulty keeping the saddle from slipping to one side? Did you know that your sense of your horse’s rideability may contain valuable insight into their health and soundness?

In this Q&A conversation world renowned equine veterinarian and orthopedics expert, Dr. Sue Dyson details how “rideability”, “rider feel” and your horse’s health are connected.

Q&A Recording: In this insightful discussion with Dr. Sue Dyson about the equine sacroiliac (SI) joint, you will learn how this critical part of a horse’s hind end functions, what kinds of issues cause pain in and around the joint, and how to spot signs of trouble. We will also cover available options for medical treatment and rehab, and how to prevent your horse from developing S/I problems in the future.

Blog: These guidelines are intended to help inform this decision-making process when choosing how best to accomplish injury rehabilitation with your horse/

Q&A Recording: Gain a better understanding of ligament damage in horses, and learn more about preventing and rehabbing to maximize potential for a full recovery.

Dr. Dyson uses before and after video clips to explain important distinguishing details of head tossing behavior and head shaking in horses.

Q&A Recording: While it may be overlooked or attributed to training issues, insects or other causes, "Head tossing" behavior is often an indication of underlying musculoskeletal pain. Head tossing may also be confused with head shaking, which has an altogether different cause and must be managed differently.

Here we look at these behaviors in more detail, and Dr. Dyson discusses what can be done to address them.

Q&A Recording: In order to spot a horse with pain or subtle lameness, it is critical to really know what a normal, happy and healthy horse looks and feels like under saddle.

Dr. Dyson shines a light on many common behaviors that often indicate discomfort, and will leave you with a whole new perspective on your horse's health and behavior.

Q&A recording: Dr. Sue Dyson sheds light on this important health issue and helps to sort facts from myths and misconceptions. She discusses what we know, what we don’t know, and how orthopedic pain and ulcers are related.

“Girthy” behavior may have many causes. Learn more about this important behavioral indicator from great resources such as World Horse Welfare , Equus Magazine, and previous TWTP Q&A recordings.

‘Harmonious horsemanship: Use of the Ridden Horse Ethogram to Optimise Potential, Partnership and Performance’, by Sue Dyson and Sue Palmer, is full of practical tools backed by solid science.

It will teach you how to use RHpE Checklist to recognise subtle signs of pain and is suitable for anyone who cares about horses, whether you are an interested amateur or an experienced professional.

Q&A Recording: Two of the 24 Behaviors stand out due to the safety threat they pose. Dr. Sue Dyson clarifies various common causes of bucking and rearing, as well as more subtle aspects of unwillingness. She discusses the best ways to respond to these often dangerous behaviors, and answers audience questions about them.

Q & A Recording: This common saying expresses the fact that the health of a horse’s hooves are inseparable from their overall wellbeing.

In a live conversation with Dr. Sue Dyson, we will discuss topics ranging from the relative advantages and disadvantages of shod vs. “barefoot” hooves, to the crucial role of communication between vets, farriers and owners.

Q&A Recording: We’re celebrating the one year anniversary of the 24 Behaviors film!

The Train with Trust Project host an update from Lauren & Galina.

Film maker Kathryn Lauritzen and Dr. Sue Dyson will give a behind the scenes look at the many challenges faced in creating the film that is shifting the paradigm of how we see lameness, as well as horse-human relationships.

Q&A Recording: Advances in veterinary medicine and imaging technology have led to an increase in diagnoses of “kissing spines” in horses with back pain and performance issues, but there is some debate over how significant these findings are.

What is this condition? How common is it? What causes it? And what are the best diagnostic and treatment options?

Dr. Dyson discusses the latest research and answer audence questions.

Q&A Recording: How do people outside the horse world feel about what we do, and why does it matter?

“Social license” refers to an unwritten agreement between the public and those who ride horses, that what we do is okay.

In order for riding to be socially acceptable, the majority of people need to agree that we make right and ethical decisions for horses. Maintaining this trust is important to the future of horse riding in its many forms.

We can find common ground by looking at what the evidence tells us are the best practices to ensure the wellbeing of our equine partners.

Join our Live Q&A with Dr. Sue Dyson as she weighs in about the role of science and research in the on-going social license conversation.

Q&A Recording: Does your horse frequently pick up the wrong lead, swap leads, cross-canter or otherwise struggle to maintain a balanced, 3-beat gait? Canter dysfunction is one of the most common signs of pain in the ridden horse.

Dr. Dyson will discuss the various ways the canter can be affected by musculoskeletal pain, and what signs to look for.

Q&A Recording: Dr. Sue Dyson answers questions and discusses many elements of saddle fit, for both horse and rider that are often underestimated in their affects on soundness as well as performance.

Watch recorded Q&A discussions and read Dr Dyson’s answers to audience questions in our ongoing conversation about the well-being of ridden horses.

Topics include:

Bucking, Rearing and Unwillingness

"Kissing Spines" - What you should know

"Girthy" behavior: resources for better understanding

Bits Vs Bitless - What Does the Evidence Say?

Gastric Ulcers in Horses

The Moody Mare - Is There Any Truth to the Stereotype?