Preventing exertional rhabdomyolysis in horses through exercise management, dietary balance, and genetic screening reduces repeated painful episodes in susceptible individuals.
Exertional rhabdomyolysis causes significant acute pain and repeated episodes represent a chronic welfare burden for susceptible horses. The preventable nature of many cases makes recurrence a welfare failure attributable to inadequate management or diagnosis. Horses with PSSM managed on inappropriate high-starch diets experience predictable painful episodes that can be largely prevented by dietary change. Genetic testing enables accurate diagnosis and targeted intervention. Exercise consistency prevents the accumulation of glycogen that triggers sporadic episodes. Investment in prevention is simultaneously an investment in horse welfare and in maintaining working capacity.