The signs your horse may show when suffering from back pain can be wide and varied and may be subtle or overt. Back pain will originate either from the bones of the spine or muscles supporting them. A horse with back pain may show any one of the following signs: Repeatable pain on palpation of the spine Reluctance to flex spine to the left or right Reluctance to flex spine upwards Resentment of saddling and grooming along the back Refusal/reluctance to jump or collect Abnormal hindlimb gait The above points are only a few of the potential signs your horse may show and any signs must be interpreted in light of other possible causes such as behavioural problems or pain in another area. A history of trauma such as a floating accident or rearing up and falling over backwards can be useful but problems from such incidents can take years to manifest. To diagnose a horse with back pain please seek the attention of your regular veterinarian. The source of your horse’s back pain can be diagnosed via skilled palpation, radiographs, blood tests showing elevated muscle enzymes, scintigraphy or thermography to name but a few.