Tying Up in Horses: Prevention and Welfare Management

Exertional rhabdomyolysis causes severe muscle pain and distress in exercising horses. Understanding risk factors enables prevention and management of this painful condition.

Key Facts

Tying up affects approximately 5 to 10% of Thoroughbreds in race training
Polysaccharide storage myopathy is a genetic cause common in draft breeds and Quarter Horses
Affected horses show muscle stiffness, pain, sweating, and reluctance to move
Urine may turn dark brown from myoglobin released by damaged muscle
Rest, rehydration, and pain management are the priorities in acute episodes

Welfare Considerations

A horse suffering an acute tying-up episode experiences severe muscle cramps and pain throughout its hindquarters - equivalent to severe exercise-induced cramping that cannot be relieved by rest or movement. The animal becomes distressed, rigid, and unable to walk comfortably. Prevention requires understanding individual risk factors including genetics, diet composition, and exercise management. For horses with identified conditions like PSSM or RER, specific dietary and exercise protocols dramatically reduce recurrence.

What You Can Do

Consult your vet if a horse shows signs of muscle stiffness or pain after exercise
Request muscle enzyme testing to diagnose and characterize the condition
Adjust diet based on diagnosis - low starch, high fat diets help PSSM horses
Maintain consistent daily exercise rather than rest-and-work cycles that trigger episodes
Warm up horses gradually and avoid intense exercise after rest days without transition work