Azoturia (exertional rhabdomyolysis) causes severe muscle pain and cramping in horses during or after exercise, requiring careful management and dietary adjustment to prevent recurrence.
Azoturia causes intense muscle pain — affected horses may refuse to move, tremble, sweat profusely, and show extreme distress. The muscle cramping of severe ER is comparable to the worst human muscle cramp multiplied across large muscle groups. Forcing horses to walk during an acute episode, historically recommended, is now recognised to cause further muscle damage and welfare harm. Kidney failure from myoglobin toxicity adds systemic organ damage to the acute pain. Recurrent ER, where horses suffer repeated episodes, represents a chronic welfare failure that demands genetic investigation and dietary management. Owner awareness — recognising ER early, stopping exercise immediately, calling a vet, and not forcing movement — is the key immediate welfare intervention.