Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to Horses Competing in British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice One-Day Events and Comparison with Performance.
Authors: Dyson Sue, Pollard Danica
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Dyson and Pollard applied the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE)—a validated behavioural assessment tool—to over 1000 competition starts across British Eventing 90, 100 and Novice classes to investigate the relationship between observable pain-related behaviours and competitive performance. Horses displaying higher RHpE scores (indicating more pain-related behaviours) showed moderate positive correlations with dressage penalties across all three levels (correlation coefficients ranging from 0.468–0.508), and weak but significant correlations with final placings, suggesting pain behaviours directly impair ridden performance. Notably, 9.3% of starters exhibited RHpE scores of 8 or above (indicating substantial pain indicators), and these horses accumulated significantly higher total penalty scores than those scoring below 8; horses in the top three placings had markedly lower median scores (2/24) compared with eliminated, retired or withdrawn horses. The cross-country phase proved more physically demanding than showjumping, with 9.8% of starters eliminated or retired compared to 1.7% in the showjump phase, and 2.6% of cross-country starts resulting in falls. Whilst the overall low median RHpE score of 4/24 suggests most competing eventers are reasonably comfortable, the presence of pain indicators in approximately one in eleven starters represents a welfare concern that merits investigation; addressing pain sources in this subset could simultaneously improve both animal welfare and competitive outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Use the RHpE as a practical on-site assessment tool to identify horses showing pain indicators during competition; those scoring ≥8/24 warrant investigation and treatment before returning to work
- •Higher RHpE scores correlate with poorer dressage performance and overall placings, suggesting pain assessment may predict performance and inform training or health intervention decisions
- •The 9% of horses with RHpE scores ≥8/24 represent a welfare concern and competitive disadvantage; systematic evaluation of these individuals could improve both animal welfare and outcomes
Key Findings
- •Median RHpE score was 4/24 (IQR 2-6), with 9.3% of starters scoring ≥8/24, indicating potential pain or discomfort
- •Moderate positive correlations found between RHpE scores and dressage penalties (Spearman's rho = 0.468-0.508) across all competition levels
- •Horses placing in top 3 had significantly lower median RHpE scores (2/24) compared to eliminated, retired, or withdrawn horses (p < 0.001)
- •Cross-country had higher elimination/retirement rate (9.8%) versus showjumping (1.7%), with 2.6% experiencing falls