tied up for third time-any ideas?

twiggy2

twiggy2

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a friends horse has at this time of year for the last three years had a bad case of tying up, I have never met the horse but know she does low level endurance on occasions and is pretty fir by modern day standards. all sugar that can be eliminated from her diet has been due to previous bouts, she is now on box rest for 6weeks and on pain relief for that period of time too so her cases are severe

any ideas?
 
She's probably tried all these but worth listing:

Low starch as well as low sugar feed
Additional oil in feed is usually recommended
Get hay/haylage checked for carbohydrate levels
Plentiful turnout
Feed electrolytes
Monitor horse's drinking and regularly check for signs of dehydration
Careful warm up and cool down
Try to avoid more than one day off at a time
Check pasture for any potential toxins
Look at selenium/Vit E supplementation
Speak to vet about possible use of Dantrium

Are there any changes to usual routine at this time of year - ie less turnout and less work/exercise? What breeding is the horse?
 
I would check the hay, the only time I have seen horses tie up was when the hay was very good quality following a hot summer where it was made in perfect conditions, both were mares and they were only on hay at the time, after one tied up a second time I changed the hay and did not have any more issues.
 
I used to deal with a hunter with this some years ago so some things might have changed but horse always had to be warm, exercised daily (with exercise rug on unless hunting - I later only gave him a chase clip to keep his back warmer) warmed up well before asking for any exertion and cooled down gently so I always walked the last mile plus both in and out, as much turnout as possible to keep him moving, as little cereal as possible in the diet (molasses weren't even mentioned from what I remember), but oil can be added so I had to up to ad lib haylage as he hated oil!
I also had to feed this by Ranvet, which made a huge difference, you could certainly tell the difference if I ran out (it had to be on special order) even back then, late 90's, it was £26 a litre but it was the saving of him! Had to get it from a vet too; https://www.ranvet.com.au/files/F&B modified/F&B Neutrolene_Layout 1.pdf I see they also do a Plus version now.
Even when he had had an episode - real tying up, couldn't move so had to be trailered home; (twice one season before we used the Ranvet stuff but none after) he only ever had to have a few days off on bute and was then led out in hand at walk for a week before ridden walking for another week before trotting; he was off games for a month each time as we brought him back slower than necessary (according to vet thinking at the time)
 
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