Apparent Link Between Chronic Pain and Aggression In Horses

Animals in pain often exhibit aggressive behavior. It’s interesting that while most of us have been warned or (even experienced firsthand) the aggression of a wounded dog or cat, when it comes to our own horses and ponies we often overlook the fact that chronic discomfort caused, for example, from a poor fitting saddle can create behavior changes that make a horse react aggressively towards humans. I came across a French study where the research team felt that there might be parallels regarding how both horses and humans deal with chronic pain. Armed with a study on humans that cited that 70% of people in pain expressed feelings of anger, the French researchers set out to see if the same held true for horses and concluded that there is a definite link between chronic pain and aggression, similar to that in people. The team from the University of Rennes observed 59 riding horses ages 5 to 20 years old, predominantly geldings from three different French riding facilities. The horses went through a series of five behavior tests typically used to judge how a horse relates to its human partner. Chiropractors examined the horses prior to starting and during the research and determined that 73% of the horses were severely affected with back and spine issues from years of riding and of these 75% exhibited negative behavior towards humans, evidenced by pinning ears back, threatening to bite and kick etc. Apparently, this is the first experimental study of its kind and it supports the hypothesis that there is an association between chronic discomfort and aggression in horses. So many horses are unfairly labeled difficult, mean or aggressive and often extreme and cruel methods are employed to try to train them when, in reality, the solution could be a visit to the veterinarian or chiropractor. The full study “Partners with bad temper: reject or cure? A study of chronic pain and aggression in horses.” Was published in the journal of PloS ONE in 2010.

Open Range evolved like a child. For years I wanted to produce a radio show that celebrates the components which make living out west unique. It's infancy began with an adventure/travel script, then a horse show, a rodeo report, pro-ag commentary and finally the American Rancher. All good ideas, programs and efforts. Yet, each failed to fully encompass my passion for the west, it's lore and lifestyle. Unlike other regions, the Pacific Northwest is uniquely diverse. A fascinaitng cornucopia of people: urbanites in Portland and Seattle that flock to wine and ski country in droves separated by mere hours from buckaroos that crave solitude with cattle and horses under the hauntingly beautiful Steen's Mountains.

I fell in love with rodeo as St. Paul rodeo princess traveling throughout the Northwest promoting the sport on my AQHA, Sammy Dee. Out of college my first "real" job was in PR with the Northern California Thoroughbread Association at Golden Gate and Bay Meadows racetracks. This led to a passion to rehabilitate OTB thoroughbreds and a special place in my heart for those amazing athletes. I was also fortunate to spend a week with the BLM, learning to gentle wild mustangs as part of a project to promote more adoptions on the radio. Thus, I am a mixed bag when it comes to the equestrian disciplines. I team rope, with my familly on our horse farm in Walla Walla and love watching my son, Tommy, and accomplished horseman compete in tie down roping. I can be brought to tears by a clean round of Olympic show jumping or the Kentucky Derby. At least two days a week of the Open Range radio program are dedicated toward equine topics because horses; whether they be the wild Kigers in Eastern Oregon, Thoroughbred crosses at our University poll clubs (WSU and OSU) or a working ranch horse near Idaho Falls, are embedded deeply in our western culture and heritage. If the bald eagle symolizes a free nation, then the horse with it's many disciplines; riding, roping, racing, running, working cows, jumping... stands alone as a vestige of the diversity and spirit of the West. Please email comments, events or ideas for stories to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and I invite you to become a part of the Open Range facebook community at facebook.com/openrange.allen