EPSM - experiences of flare-ups and how long to get back to normal?

[mystiandsunny]

One of mine who has it v mildly normally went out on loan, and while there had a flare-up with symptoms far worse than she's ever had before (refusing to trot, muscles all rock hard etc). Before she went she was super-fit and jumping 1m+ without even thinking about it. Their grass was richer, and she was being stabled at night with hay and getting hi-fi lite and high fibre cubes. At home we have poor grazing, live out 24/7 and nothing gets anything with alfalfa in but that's the only difference. I've upped her oil and she had 4 weeks off to repair the damage. Following that she was nicely forward-going again in walk, so re-started work (gently). Walk work was fine, and then started a little trot - again fine and her usual whizzy self. But now suddenly we can have good days and suddenly a bad one, or vice versa. She's never been like this and I really feel for her.

She always does something each day (walk is always fine) and if she's stiffish at the start is always striding out and much happier by the end of a walk hack. When she was not having any problems at the beginning of this coming back into work she was in a field on her own, but now she's with everyone else. Could that be the problem? Is 'field politics' causing her to do too much too soon, and that's causing her muscles to stiffen? I've got her muzzled to reduce grass/sugar intake and am replacing those calories with those in the oil she gets. What else can I do?

 

[LazyS]

If you can go onto Facebook there is a section called PSSM in the Appaloosa there is quite a bit of helpful advice and stuff on there. You can chat to owners of horses with PSSM (or EPSM) Equine Polysaccharid Storage Myopathy. I find it of interest as I have American bred horses (which have all tested negative for this hereditary affliction), but I know a few people with affected horses.
I am sure it would help you. Good luck.