Horse tied up really midly...how long would you give off work

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royal

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Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this....my mare has tied up again (about the 7th time in 5 years), but it is really mild this time...tbh, I only noticed as I'm very clued up on it...she was just a bit pottery..more in front than behind, tho was a little bit short striding on the back..(she has tied up only at the front before...rare, but happens).

Yard had flooding problems, she was only kept in 1 x 24 hours, then out next day for 2 hours, then next day was a half day turnout and then today was out all day (YO is very good at trying to get her out as much as poss)...(feed was cut when she was in) so as this was quite short-lived I rode her tonight...not hard and didn't push her too much, but was obviously a bit too much for her after 3 days restricted turnout...

So anyway, she didn't sweat up at all, and was nicely settled when back in her stable - gave her a bute and am sure she will be fine by tomorrow...but how long would you rest her from work? She is on normal all day turnout from today...when she has tied up before its been much more severe and needed a vet who prescribed weeks of box rest followed by gradual return to work - no vet required this time thank goodness :)
 
When my tb mare ties up, as soon as she starts to feel stiff or slow her pace I keep her walking. She has had it so bad before she can't move so that has taken some time and had to have vet out. I normally give her a few days off and then take her out for a small quiet hack and bring her back in to her work slowly.

As you've said you've read up a lot about it, be careful what you feed her, No high protein feeds etc. Also add some Epsom salts to her water or feed. Always have a salt lick available. Also after a long hard ride don't just stop, keep her walking for at least 20 minutes or so after and get her to relax as much as possible.

Following this my mare hasn't tied up fully in over 3 / 4 years now, she's just occasionally got stiff but I've managed to catch it early enough to not cause her a problem :)

ETA - also keep her warm! Don't leave her standing around in the cold or after a ride without a sweat sheet on her no matter how hot she is! Let her cool off herself, don't sponge her down with cold water :)
 
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PonyFeet10 said:
When my tb mare ties up, as soon as she starts to feel stiff or slow her pace I keep her walking. She has had it so bad before she can't move so that has taken some time and had to have vet out. I normally give her a few days off and then take her out for a small quiet hack and bring her back in to her work slowly.

As you've said you've read up a lot about it, be careful what you feed her, No high protein feeds etc. Also add some Epsom salts to her water or feed. Always have a salt lick available. Also after a long hard ride don't just stop, keep her walking for at least 20 minutes or so after and get her to relax as much as possible.

Following this my mare hasn't tied up fully in over 3 / 4 years now, she's just occasionally got stiff but I've managed to catch it early enough to not cause her a problem :)

ETA - also keep her warm! Don't leave her standing around in the cold or after a ride without a sweat sheet on her no matter how hot she is! Let her cool off herself, don't sponge her down with cold water :)
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Hi thanks for the reply.....yes I do all of this as a matter of course and have been over the last several years - unfortunately, she is really really susceptible to it :(

Have to say, I'm a bit worried that you say you keep your mare walking when she ties up....:eek:
The most important thing is to imobilise them as much as possible immediately when they have an episode...carrying on moving them can cause a lot of damage and even death :eek:
 
Ah I have been advised by my vet to walk her, as soon as she starts to tie up if I keep her moving she walks it off. If I stop her she cramps up completely and ends up in a lot of pain. Obviously if she ties up completely she's stopped and my vet is called to give muscle relaxants and pain relief. However she's only got to that point twice. Each to their own and I find it's really helped my mare, all horses are different so it could be a different outcome for another horse :D
 
PonyFeet10 said:
Ah I have been advised by my vet to walk her, as soon as she starts to tie up if I keep her moving she walks it off. If I stop her she cramps up completely and ends up in a lot of pain. Obviously if she ties up completely she's stopped and my vet is called to give muscle relaxants and pain relief. However she's only got to that point twice. Each to their own and I find it's really helped my mare, all horses are different so it could be a different outcome for another horse :D
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Wow - not heard that one before...but like you said it works for you....don't think i'd risk it on mine !

My mare seems totally fine today, so think I'll give her a few days off and then maybe take her for a nice gentle walk on Saturday or Sunday and build her up slowly like you said.
 
My TB mare has tied up a few times with me and most of the time very mild episodes. I was advised by vet to give a few days off work but to keep her getting turned out and when we had a horse walker at old yard even to put her in there for a short while each day - then bring back into work gently. If it is very mild it seems that gentle exercise can benefit recovery. But each horse is so different and it such a complicated thing. Good luck with your horse!
 
Thanks for that UKa...

my horse has always tied up badly and needed a vet so it left me a tiny bit unsure of what to do in terms of time off when it was such a mild attack!
 
Can I suggest that those of you with horses that tye up more than once google EPSM ,or Pssm, and have a good read . The work by Drs Beth Valentine ,and (separately) Steph Valberg should be given serious consideration.
 
There was a horse at a livery yard where I worked which tied up. She had a mild attack and we called the vet for advice over the phone. We were advised to keep her off work for a minimum of 1 week as this ensures the enzymes produced by tying up are out of the bloodstream before work starts.

Going on this I would recommend a week; if you are unsure perhaps you could call your vet and ask for advice over the phone - maybe on Monday - they don't usually charge for advice over the phone and it certainly won't hurt to keep her off work til then.
 
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