Tying up? Any experts?

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Milanesa

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Hi,

Not one of mine but was wondering in general what people think is the best cause of action for a horse that ties up? Dietary and post episode care? Anyone know any new research on causes and long term help managing the condition? Thanks in advance :) :)
 
Not an expert, and I have no direct experience of anything similar, but I've been reading up on muscle diseases in horses because my gang appear to have some kind of muscle problem going on (best guess selenium deficiency at the moment).

The best treatment/management will depend on the cause of the tying-up, and you might find the following helpful in helping to narrow down what the cause might be in this horse:

A review of equine muscle disorders in horses by M Aleman, which I found really helpful, not least the list of various muscle diseases.

I'm sure it's going to be helpful to you if you can work out why the tying-up happened. Was there something out of the ordinary that day or preceding days? Anything different stresswise, workloadwise or dietwise?

Here's the link to that review: http://maquette.respe.net/system/fil..._disorders.pdf

This Minnesota neuromuscular laboratory website is also really good for muscle stuff. http://www.cvm.umn.edu/umec/lab/home.html

I also found this article quite useful, talking about management of tying-up in sports horses, by Stephanie Valberg: http://www.ker.com/library/proceedin...t Horses.pdf

Out of interest, what were the 3 muscle enzyme levels (AST, CK and LDH)? Their numerical value may help you in narrowing down what the cause might be.

Sarah
 
Hi , wow that's amazing thx. It's a polo pony that tends to tie up so much after hard work it stands all stretched out and can barely move bless it. Just wOndered if there is something to helP aid it's recovery or if these horses are generally deficient in something, not my horse so don't know bloods etc. Thx for the info x
 
I would get the horse seen by the vet as there are potential complications to tying up which are serious,such as myopathy.My mare tied up recently and bood tests showed up myopathy,meaning there was muscle damage which in turn affects the liver as this organ has to process the toxins.There is a link on the new forum about atypical myopathy,and one here in veterinary titled "tie up".Some forum users posted some very useful and informative links which you may find helpful.Good luck and hope your horse recovers.
 
Polo ponies work hard for a short period of time. Correcting the electrolyte balance is very important.
Always make sure that the horse /pony is warmed up and cooled down properly.

Feed is another factor, a high grain feed can cause it.

Maybe it would be worth supplementing with vitE /selenium and or magnesium all three are need for muscle function.
 
Hi Pauline yes i have heard and know many are fed an electrolyte supplement, thx for your advice re the vitamins required for muscle function. :)
 
There are quite a few different supplements on the market that help to support muscle function and help to keep muscles relaxed.

NAF D-TY
Equine America Tye-Guard
Global Herbs Ti-Free
There are plenty more plus your usual Vit e & selrnium supplements

My boy ties up but thank god he hasnt in a long time, it took a while to get his diet right and hes now on Top Spec as that contains enough vit e & sel he requires plus all of the other vitamins, etc it is really important the horse has a low grain diet, high oil, high fibre and a regular working regime i.e you can't ride for two hours one day then give them three days off and expect them to be ok when you get back on you would need to reduce their feed accordingly, plenty of warming up and cooling off.

Good luck!
 
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