Exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying-up) causes severe muscle pain and potential kidney damage in horses. Understanding triggers and management prevents this painful and dangerous condition.
Tying-up causes severe muscle pain that leaves affected horses unable to move without distress. Acute episodes are frightening and painful, and repeated episodes cause cumulative muscle damage. The condition is often triggered by management errors — insufficient exercise reduction during rest periods or inappropriate high-energy feeding — making it largely preventable with appropriate husbandry knowledge.