They will still flinch when you poke them. Reactions to chronic discomfort may be hidden, but acute pain still causes a reaction (note: this is from my experien

They will still flinch when you poke them. Reactions to chronic discomfort may be hidden, but acute pain still causes a reaction (note: this is from my experience growing up in the fields around farm animals. I've not tried a controlled experiment, nor do I know of one :)