Benefits of equine analgesia
Equine analgesia was a key topic for discussion at a recent series of Equine Road Shows, where delegate opinions have been described as "overwhelmingly positive".
Over one hundred vets attended the events, which were organised by Alstoe Ltd, Bristol University and Langford Veterinary Services, and covered topics including anaesthesia, analgesia and equine surgery.
Opening the meetings, which took place in Hickstead, Newmarket and York, Dr Polly Taylor said: "Until recently, equine analgesia has been somewhat neglected.
"Although still lagging behind the progress in human medical practice and small animal veterinary care, the need for proper pain management in horses is now acknowledged."
Evidence suggests that profound analgesia in human surgery leads to better athletic performance in the following weeks and months. The same is suspected to apply to equine patients.
On the whole, feedback from delegates suggested that analgesia is vital in allowing concurrent treatment to work to its best advantage, by keeping the horse pain-free and therefore calm and interactive, with a good appetite.
One analgesic to be discussed was burprenorphine (vetergesic), which is very commonly used for small animals, but less so in horses.
Studies at Bristol University, however, have suggested that vetergesic has significantly better analgesic benefits than butorphanol.
Polly commented: "One of its major advantages is its ability to provide up to 12 hours of analgesia, giving it considerable potential as an analgesic in horses."
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
