Identifying and Locating Pain in the Horse, Belgium 22.-23.11.2025

Course in Zandhoven, Belgium 22.-23.11.2025

Identifying and Locating Pain in the Horse – Practical Techniques and
Behavioral Signs

Assessing Equine Movement & Basics of Saddle and Hoof Health

The course is led by Mervi Pakola, a Finnish expert in equine pain detection,
massage, osteopathy, rehabilitation and training.

Mervi has been training problem horses for almost 20 years. Years ago she started to notice that the behavior we think as problem behavior is the horses way to tell us that they are having a problem. By helping with pain or discomfort, problem behavior usually goes away and the need for training decreases. You still need it, but much less when the horses are happy.

Nowadays Mervi still helps with problem behavior, but with ways that truly help the horse too.

With Mervi's guidance you will learn to identify even subtle signs of discomfort or pain in a horse and you get to practice hands-on techniques to help you locate where the pain might be.

You will also learn to assess equine movement so you will be able to notice the most
subtle signs of lameness in the future. In this course you will learn in practice how to observe and interpret the horse's movement, focusing on balance, symmetry, posture and length of stride.

You will also learn to

• Check saddle fit
• How to check the hoof balance of the horse
• What is normal for a healthy horse and what is not.
• When to ask a veterinarian to check your horse and what kind of examinations to request.

If you want to learn and understand, why horses are being naughty or problematic and
what to do about it, this course is for you!

Price per person 290€
Schedule 10.00-15.00 

2-3 spots available with your own horse

You can also attend without a horse and you still get to do practical exercises with horses.

Please register by October 30th.

Ask more mervi(at)hevostaitoakatemia.fi