Validating Pain Assessment Tool for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain in horses. This condition often is underrecognized by owners and thereby undertreated. Researchers have designed a short, easy-to-complete questionnaire to help monitor pain in horses. The 15-item questionnaire was developed through interviews with horse owners whose animals were experiencing chronic osteoarthritis pain. In this study, the team will validate the questionnaire’s ability to help owners better recognize and monitor behavioral signs of pain in their horses. If successful, the new tool also could help owners monitor treatment effectiveness and pain progression over time, as well as help guide owners and veterinarians with quality-of-life decisions.