Exertional rhabdomyolysis in competition horses requires careful dietary, workload, and genetic management. Prevention strategies differ for sporadic and recurrent forms of the condition.
Recurrent rhabdomyolysis causes repeated painful episodes of muscle breakdown, causing significant welfare harm to competition horses. The condition is often mismanaged — attributed to diet or effort when the underlying cause is genetic or metabolic. Horses with unidentified PSSM may have been treated with inappropriate high-starch diets and inconsistent work patterns that exacerbate episodes. Correct diagnosis through muscle biopsy or genetic testing allows targeted management that dramatically reduces episode frequency. The welfare burden of repeated painful episodes — experienced by animals unable to communicate their distress effectively — makes accurate diagnosis and appropriate management a primary obligation for horse owners and trainers.