Toby773
Well-Known Member
What exactly is it?
Can anyone kindly explain.
Can anyone kindly explain.
EPSM
- Thread starter Toby773
- Start date
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
It is an illness caused by a parasite which can have a debilitating effect on the horses nervous system. Here is a link:
http://www.dclahdvm.com/articles/epm.htm
http://www.dclahdvm.com/articles/epm.htm
mrdarcy
Well-Known Member
EPSM is Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy - a muscle disease... nothing to do with parasites (EPM is entirely different condition).
There's a bit about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_polysaccharide_storage_myopathy
But loads if you google it.
There's a bit about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_polysaccharide_storage_myopathy
But loads if you google it.
tangotime
Well-Known Member
EPSM is an abbreviation for equine polysaccharide storage myopathy. (Applecart, I think you might be confusing it with EPM= Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, which is caused by a parasite called sarcocystis neurona).
EPSM is a genetic disorder which first has been seen in draught horses and crosses but has since been seen in many breeds except pure thoroughbreeds. The defective gen causes excessive glycogen storage in the muscle and following work similar signs are seen to the classical tying up. Definitive diagnosis requires a muscle biopsy and horses are managed on a high oil-low carbohydrate diet.
EPSM is a genetic disorder which first has been seen in draught horses and crosses but has since been seen in many breeds except pure thoroughbreeds. The defective gen causes excessive glycogen storage in the muscle and following work similar signs are seen to the classical tying up. Definitive diagnosis requires a muscle biopsy and horses are managed on a high oil-low carbohydrate diet.
Toby773
Well-Known Member
Thank you.
So if a horse suffers recurrent bouts of tying up, even when only lightly worked, it is possible it is suffering from EPSM?
So if a horse suffers recurrent bouts of tying up, even when only lightly worked, it is possible it is suffering from EPSM?
royal
Well-Known Member
It is possible it could be EPSM but can you tell us more about the management?? For instance if a horse ties up once, it becomes predisposed to it, if said horse is then kept on a diet that is rich in starch and/or is kept stabled alot or kept on a large field with plenty of grass it could keep tying up due to this....
My mare tied up once and then became prone to it, so I had to change her management quite considerably. Vet was pondering doing a biopsy but decided to give her another chance on new management and touch wood, she has been doing fine since. I do feed her as if she had EPSM tho, which is mainly a high oil diet.
My mare tied up once and then became prone to it, so I had to change her management quite considerably. Vet was pondering doing a biopsy but decided to give her another chance on new management and touch wood, she has been doing fine since. I do feed her as if she had EPSM tho, which is mainly a high oil diet.
tangotime
Well-Known Member
As RoyalLass said a horse that is repeatedly tying up, would be suspicious of EPSM, but it could have other causes and you might want to ask your vet to investigate further or refer the horse.
soulfull
Well-Known Member
My old horse Beacon had EPSM confirmed by biopsy which was sent the the US for testing. he never actually tyed up tho, I know some horses do.
Some horses don't show any problems with the blood tests but still have EPSM. Also some need added oil for life even if they have a low starch diet. Beacon was mostly reluctant to canter and lethargic, struggled to work from behind. was a little difficult on one hind with the farrier (not major)
The specialist in the US is Dr Beth Valentine she is awesome and so so helpful www.ruralheritage.com
It was more a niggle than anything to start with. Then suddenly he lost all his muscles, almost overnight. Luckily I had just realized what was wrong with him as this happened so he soon got sorted. He never did manage to work well from behind tho it was just too hard for him
the best site
Some horses don't show any problems with the blood tests but still have EPSM. Also some need added oil for life even if they have a low starch diet. Beacon was mostly reluctant to canter and lethargic, struggled to work from behind. was a little difficult on one hind with the farrier (not major)
The specialist in the US is Dr Beth Valentine she is awesome and so so helpful www.ruralheritage.com
It was more a niggle than anything to start with. Then suddenly he lost all his muscles, almost overnight. Luckily I had just realized what was wrong with him as this happened so he soon got sorted. He never did manage to work well from behind tho it was just too hard for him
the best site