Permanent Tight Muscles - Any Ideas?

PorkChop

PorkChop

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 June 2010
Messages
10,646
Location
Scotland
Visit site
I have a bit of a problem horse who always has tight muscles, all over.

She has had extensive diagnostics, just about all of her body has been x-rayed and scanned. She has seen three different Vets, each has diagnosed a different problem that has not resolved when treated. Each ruling out the other Vet's diagnosis.

Been in for full work up, twice, including blocking.

I haven't sent her for a body scan, as my husband is rather losing the will to live with this horse.

She did have an issue with a front foot that is now resolved, she is sound and in full work, I haven't ridden her the last couple of weeks to check it is not associated with saddling. Super teeth, no difference between lunged or ridden.

Ulcers have been ruled out, she is worse when not in work, no behavioural issues, very easy and quiet to ride.

She has also had a muscle biopsy and full bloods which are all clear.

I am at a loss now what to do tbh.

We bought her a couple of years ago for my teenage daughter, who did loads of low level stuff with her but has since upgraded to a more sporty model.

So I sort of took her over, and came to the conclusion that I wasn't happy with her performance.

She is a 7 year old 15.3hh Connie X, fed on soaked hay, grass nuts, and balancer.

Do I accept she's just not right for what we want her to do, I could easily sell her as a teenagers low level horse, or is this wrong even though I would obviously disclose everything.

Tbh I am absolutely gutted because she is just lovely.

Any thoughts, even ridiculous ones, would be appreciated.
 
What are the performance issues that you are seeing? The tight muscles in my horse are - I assume - relating to the fact that she has PSSM type 1. Her lack of response to the various PSSM protocols is sending us back to the vet though.

So if you're after ideas:
- get rid of the balancer and see what happens.
- try 2 weeks of adding straight amino acids to her feed. There is a lady on the PSSM forum whose warmblood has tested negative to all the genetic muscular disorders who now has a 'normal' horse through adding amino acids. Bulk Powders usually have offers on.

If she's up for low level hacking etc then I don't think there is anything wrong with a new owner taking over the ride.
 
She sounds as if she may have low level PSSM symptoms, the mare here was in normal work, had a few slight behaviour issues that were put down to being green, she had tight muscles but again the physio felt it was due to her history, it was only when her workload reduced mid winter that she started to be unlevel at times but inconsistently that the penny dropped and we started her on Alcar/ vit e, she has not looked back since then although we are still learning how to get the best out of her.

If yours were mine I would put her on the 2 supplements for a month, increase her work, or at least ensure she does something every day, and see if it helps, you have little to lose if it works you can move on if it doesn't it will be less than yet more investigations by the vets, our mare showed improvements within days.
 
SEL said:
What are the performance issues that you are seeing? The tight muscles in my horse are - I assume - relating to the fact that she has PSSM type 1. Her lack of response to the various PSSM protocols is sending us back to the vet though.

So if you're after ideas:
- get rid of the balancer and see what happens.
- try 2 weeks of adding straight amino acids to her feed. There is a lady on the PSSM forum whose warmblood has tested negative to all the genetic muscular disorders who now has a 'normal' horse through adding amino acids. Bulk Powders usually have offers on.

If she's up for low level hacking etc then I don't think there is anything wrong with a new owner taking over the ride.
Click to expand...

Performance issues are sore muscles and very laid back!

Its the forage plus balancer, which she has been on for only a few months, intially to help her feet. Before this she wasn't on a balancer, so essentially no difference.

Have tried her on Lysine for a period with no difference. She has actually had a muscle biopsy to rule out muscle myopathy.

But thank you for the suggestions :)
 
Last edited:
be positive said:
She sounds as if she may have low level PSSM symptoms, the mare here was in normal work, had a few slight behaviour issues that were put down to being green, she had tight muscles but again the physio felt it was due to her history, it was only when her workload reduced mid winter that she started to be unlevel at times but inconsistently that the penny dropped and we started her on Alcar/ vit e, she has not looked back since then although we are still learning how to get the best out of her.

If yours were mine I would put her on the 2 supplements for a month, increase her work, or at least ensure she does something every day, and see if it helps, you have little to lose if it works you can move on if it doesn't it will be less than yet more investigations by the vets, our mare showed improvements within days.
Click to expand...

Yes, I was absolutely convinced she had PSSM, hence why she had a muscle biopsy, which came back clear. She has been tried on Alcar and Vitamin E already unfortunately.

I still have some Vitamin E, so I might put her back on it because she might be deficient in it, when she last had bloods she was being fed Vitamin E so the levels were good.

She is worked everyday, for up to an hour and a half.

Thank you for the suggestion :)
 
The lady on the PSSM forum who added the amino acids also had a horse that was negative for PSSM - I guess her horse had some form of deficiency that responded to the amino acid supplementation. She'll probably never know what was wrong with him, but I get the feeling she doesn't care now his muscles are back to normal! A broad spectrum one might give improvements if lysine hasn't.

The other thing is to ask your vet about robaxin / methocarbamol. Its a muscle relaxant that isn't approved for use in horses (although widely used in the US and Canada). I have seen it use to 're-educate' the muscles of a PSSM horse who didn't respond to the dietary changes. I have also read of riders overseas who use low doses regularly with horses who have muscular problems. I doubt you can compete on it here but it might be worth a trial.
 
SEL said:
The lady on the PSSM forum who added the amino acids also had a horse that was negative for PSSM - I guess her horse had some form of deficiency that responded to the amino acid supplementation. She'll probably never know what was wrong with him, but I get the feeling she doesn't care now his muscles are back to normal! A broad spectrum one might give improvements if lysine hasn't.

The other thing is to ask your vet about robaxin / methocarbamol. Its a muscle relaxant that isn't approved for use in horses (although widely used in the US and Canada). I have seen it use to 're-educate' the muscles of a PSSM horse who didn't respond to the dietary changes. I have also read of riders overseas who use low doses regularly with horses who have muscular problems. I doubt you can compete on it here but it might be worth a trial.
Click to expand...

Negative from a biopsy? Well I will certainly try that, thank you.

Had thought about Robaxin, will ask the Vet about that too.
 
Has anyone considered ESPA, previously known as DSLD? Only diagnosable for sure with a nuchal ligament biopsy but also characterised by mineralization of the suspensory ligaments which can be seen on ultrasound. Causes reluctance to work and tight muscles all over in some horses.
 
ycbm said:
Has anyone considered ESPA, previously known as DSLD? Only diagnosable for sure with a nuchal ligament biopsy but also characterised by mineralization of the suspensory ligaments which can be seen on ultrasound. Causes reluctance to work and tight muscles all over in some horses.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, I had a look at the symptoms. I don't think she has enough of the symptoms to investigate this further. She has had her suspensory ligaments scanned, which showed up nothing at the time.
 
Thought I would do a wee update for those interested in muscle problems!

The vitamin E started working quickly, I then added some tryptophan. Why I chose this particular amino acid I have no idea, but after two days I am going to have to take her off it. Unfortunately, its side effect of calming, which is what it is often used for, is making my already quiet horse absolutely horizontal.

If anyone wants to buy it, pm me for details.

I have decided to try her on whey protein, which has a good spectrum of amino acids and see if it works.

Her muscles are starting to relax nicely, which is great, so very pleased so far. Now I just need something to whizz her up :)
 
Bit of an update, my Vet was happy for me to try Robaxin, so she has been on it for nearly a week.

It has been amazing in that all her muscles have relaxed, like a normal horse! However today she was a bit ataxic, so obviously that is no good at all.

I also started her on whey protein before the Robaxin, but tbh there was no difference.

Clutching at straws, I know, but does anyone have any further thoughts?

Should I take her off the Robaxin and ride her with tight muscles? Do I not ride her, and just live with the sicknote?

I would happily loan her out for low level stuff, but not sure someone would be prepared to take on the management and cost.

Anything else to try, my Vet has pretty much drawn a blank as to possible causes :(
 
Can you remind me if you've tried alcar?


Mine appeared to be ataxic a week ago, he failed all the neuro tests. But it was 'just' a PSSM crisis and he is better now I've upped his vitamin E to 10000iu. Yours may be the same.
 
Last edited:
How much robaxin did he have you using? I've got 600kg of draft horse who is asleep on 10 x 500mg. If i just want to take the edge off then 5 x 500mg does the trick.

But oil is the magic ingredient for mine.
 
Casey76 said:
You could try Lysine (10g), Methionine (5g) and Threonine (2g).

I would also do the hair test for PSSM1, as the muscle biopsy isn't infallible
Click to expand...

Have tried those, but thank you for the suggestion. Ohhh, didn't know the biopsy wasn't 100% reliable, however bloods were tested before and after exercise and they were completely normal. Might consider the hair test.

ycbm said:
Can you remind me if you've tried alcar?


Mine appeared to be ataxic a week ago, he failed all the neuro tests. But it was 'just' a PSSM crisis and he is better now I've upped his vitamin E to 10000iu. Yours may be the same.
Click to expand...

Yes, tried Alcar, she is on a high dose of Vitamin E at the moment, but thank you.

SEL said:
How much robaxin did he have you using? I've got 600kg of draft horse who is asleep on 10 x 500mg. If i just want to take the edge off then 5 x 500mg does the trick.

But oil is the magic ingredient for mine.
Click to expand...

Now I haven't tried oil, might be worth giving a go, thank you. She is on micronised linseed but I presume that wouldn't be enough?
 
Her work load is high PorkChop. Does she sweat much during these workouts, because if so she may be lacking salt. Low sodium levels cause muscle contractions and cramping. Just a thought...good luck with it.
 
Sorry misread that. Was in a & e at the time after an accident thought it said 2000 so you'll hopefully forgive me. Anyway you can feed too much E and the symptoms of too much E are stiffness so I think I would give her 10000iu and see how that works. Is it pro earth natural?
 
wingedhorse said:
Which one do you use?
Click to expand...

Pro Earth natural.

Corbie said:
Her work load is high PorkChop. Does she sweat much during these workouts, because if so she may be lacking salt. Low sodium levels cause muscle contractions and cramping. Just a thought...good luck with it.
Click to expand...

I do add salt to her food as well as access to a salt lick. She rarely sweats, though it hasn't been that warm yet, and she is clipped.

FfionWinnie said:
Sorry misread that. Was in a & e at the time after an accident thought it said 2000 so you'll hopefully forgive me. Anyway you can feed too much E and the symptoms of too much E are stiffness so I think I would give her 10000iu and see how that works. Is it pro earth natural?
Click to expand...

No problem, hope you are ok!

Yes, pro earth. Didn't know that! Will half it and see if there is a difference, thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top