Knowing When to Let Go: Owners, Vets, and Pain in Aging Horses
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of owner-veterinarian interactions on recognizing and managing pain in aging horses.
Hosts Nancy McLean and Kate Acton discuss a 2025 study on how owner–veterinarian interactions affect recognition and management of pain in horses, using owners’ stories and vets’ perspectives to highlight subtle behavioral signs and practical decisions. The episode emphasizes the importance of knowing each horse’s normal behavior, keeping compassionate communication open with veterinary teams, planning for aging horses, and making welfare-focused choices. Research Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/owners-everyday-interactions-with-their-horse-painrelated-issues-and-those-of-veterinary-concern/8709217EEB13EFA934E783A03204E973?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email
People in this episode
Hosts: Nancy McLean, Kate Acton
Topics covered
- pain management
- veterinarian interactions
- aging horses
- owner perspectives
- behavioral signs
- compassionate communication
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cambridge University Press
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