Question re: 'tying-up' and spring grass

Festive_Felicitations

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This year, for the first time since we've owned him, Beau is getting about 1 - 2 hr of really rich (improved clover mix) grass a day, plus whats coming up in his field (native sp not know for richness). Mainly as hay very rare & expensive at the moment.

Anyway, the other day I thought he was going to tie-up but managed to walk it off (1/2 hour in hand up and down the laneway :cool:). He is in fairly consistent decent work at the moment and not getting much grain so was very surprised.

I was wondering if anyone else has known spring grass to trigger it? As it is the only different thing in his diet/regime at the moment.
 
I haven't any experience of tying up in that instance but Sov had high enzymes in the spring (more work/feed related) and I was directed to a website for a product called equiwinner? Have a look and see what you think? I didn't try it this time as we have changed his routine but I would if need be give it a go.
 
I'll have a look thanks, but if the rich spring grass is going to increase is chances of tying-up I'll just (much to his dismay) cut it out - a lot cheaper! ;)

I'm taking him out on the rich stuff in hand at the moment so easy enough to do, what is in his field is rich enough or enough of it to worry me.
 
I think tying-up is related to high starch levels in feed, is Spring grass higher in starch?

You could try feeding soaked grass nuts / pellets / pencils, whatever your local feed store calls them. Try an agricultural feed merchant, if the bag has a picture of cows or sheep on it it will be half the price! Check label - should just read 'flash-dried grass' or similar.
 
Yes my boy ties up (biopsy diagnosed recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis) and spring grass is a killer for him. I muzzle him from early April onwards, he's better having long periods of restricted grass via the muzzle, than being kept off grass and then allowed to have free access for a short time.

It's the sugars that do it, so also have to be careful on frosted grass.

I've never fed grain or cereal feeds of any kind, ever, so it was a massive shock to find out he was tying up!
 
YES !! most definetly. My last horse suffered from EPSM and too much grass would cause him to react badly. Luckily I was aware of it and he never actually tied up.

Also frosty grass has the same reaction.


I also know of half a dozen others with EPSM who are the same
 
Thanks for your replies Touble and Soulfull -

I'm going to have one very grumpy horse and a larger hay bill now :( Oh well I'll have to make it up to him in carrots :cool:

In my original post by 'grain' I meant 'Mitiavite Breeda' pellets (for preggers mares), Rice Bran and a handful of 'grain' designed for racehorse that Tie-up so mainly lupins and sunflower seeds.

His tying-up isn't 'bad' in that he can handle some grain when he works hard I just have to monitor his workload.

Once again thanks for your replies.
 
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