Back pain in horses is common and frequently misattributed to behavioural problems or poor training. Recognition and appropriate diagnosis enable treatment that restores comfort and performance.
Horse back pain welfare is complicated by misattribution. Horses showing resistance to saddling, unwillingness to canter, or poor performance are frequently labelled as difficult, stubborn, or badly trained — when the underlying cause is pain. This misattribution leads to training escalation that worsens the welfare problem rather than addressing it. The welfare-positive approach treats unexplained behavioural resistance as a pain signal requiring investigation rather than a training problem requiring correction. Comprehensive diagnostic workup including saddle fit assessment should precede any training intervention for horses showing consistent resistance patterns. The welfare transformation when back pain is correctly identified and treated is frequently dramatic.