Table 4.

Description of the features of the equine pain face

Pain face feature	Detailed description
Asymmetrical/low ears	Both ears are moving in different directions or are placed in asymmetrical positions with neither of the ears facing directly forward or back. There may be lowering of both ears (increased distance between them) with the opening of the ears facing the sides or slightly back. The ears may be both asymmetrical and low.
Angled eye	There is tension of the m. levator anguli oculi medialis (Fig.7).
Withdrawn and tense stare	The quality of the glance changes to become withdrawn and tense.
Nostrils – square-like	The nostrils are dilated mediolaterally; especially the medial wing of the nostril may be tense. This is most obvious during inspiration.
Tension of the muzzle	There is increased tonus of the lips and tension of the chin resulting in an edged shape of the muzzle.
Tension of the mimic muscles	There is tension of the muscles visible on the lateral aspect of the head, especially m. zygomaticus and m. caninus, but m. masseter may also be tense.