Nonspecific performance and rideability issues are more likely a manifestation of pain in the ridden horse rather than a true behavioural problem. A systematic and thorough investigation focusing on the potential presence of pain-related conditions is thus crucial in horses with such complaints. It can, however, be challenging to determine whether the complaint is indeed related to pain, where the pain is located, and what the underlying cause is. This review describes the challenges of pain recognition in ridden horses and summarises the recently developed ridden horse ethograms that might enable pain to be assessed in an objective, valid and reliable way. Furthermore, the differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach to horses presenting potentially pain-related performance and rideability issues are discussed.

中文翻译：

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作为疼痛表现的马的性能和可骑性问题：鉴别诊断和诊断方法的回顾

非特异性性能和可骑性问题更可能是骑马疼痛的表现，而不是真正的行为问题。因此，针对疼痛相关疾病的潜在存在进行系统而彻底的调查对于有此类投诉的马匹至关重要。然而，要确定主诉是否确实与疼痛有关、疼痛的位置以及根本原因是什么，可能具有挑战性。这篇综述描述了在骑马中识别疼痛的挑战，并总结了最近开发的骑马 ethograms，这可能使疼痛能够以客观、有效和可靠的方式进行评估。此外，还讨论了对表现出可能与疼痛相关的表现和可骑性问题的马的鉴别诊断和诊断方法。