Tying Up/ER - your experiences

[ilovetheadd27]

One of my lower level hunters experienced a mild tying up/ER episode over the weekend. We are in the process of pulling repeat bloodwork and genetic testing for PSSM (is a QH cross…), but in the mean time I’d love your experiences after an episode, recognizing each horse and situation is different. Feed changes, your favorite products, did the horse return to full workload, jumping ability, strategies for exercise, maintenance, etc… The horse is not a high level athlete but is such a lovely solid citizen with a bright future as an all-around horse.

Trying to stay positive!

[rhershock]

My Standardbred gelding started having mild to severe tie up episodes in 2020. He lost a good amount of top line muscling and had all sorts of other health issues arise. We did bloodwork after one of his larger tying up episodes (he was unable to back off the trailer after a long trail ride because he was so stiff and in pain). The bloodwork was highly indicative of PSSM and my vet recommended doing the hair test for PSSM 1. I did that through animal genetics and then did the type 2 test through EquiSeq. He is negative for type 1 but did come back with one of the variants (n/p2) via EquiSeq.

With that in mind, we changed his feed to high protein with added cool fats. It took about 6 months for him to recover his muscle and start feeling better. Adding in 4000ius of naturally occurring vitamin E helped out a ton along with salts and electrolytes. He is in full work now, training for the hunter/jumper circuit and doing well physically. His feed right now is a mix of soy bean hulls, speedibeet, coolstance copra, salt, vitamin e, pre-ox balancer and DMG.

After a tie up we usually add magnesium and chamomile along with electrolytes. I try to do longer stretchy walk rides and hand walks too if the tie up is really extreme. That being said, he hasn’t had a true tie up episode in over a year. I do think PSSM can be managed but it requires a lot of trial and error and patience.

[NancyM]

Sometimes the issue is related to getting OFF something else that is bothering them… something in the front end, that “over stresses” the muscles in the hind end. So check for that.
As a feed supplement that you can try and not expensive… DMG (dimethylglycine). It is a member of the Kreb’s cycle, but I can’t explain for you how that makes a difference with loading it to help with muscle function, but it does seem to work. A local vet recommended it many years ago when I had one who had a history of tying up, I was skeptical, but tried it, and felt it was helpful. In fact, the “tie up case” blossomed into “beauty”, and I used DMG on most everyone in race training. Doesn’t hurt, might help. Claims on the bucket “aides muscle function”.

[SCI]

It depends if he is PSSM Type 1 or PSSM Type 2. They require completely different diets. Also, if he does not test positive for PSSM, check for HYPP and for a Selenium deficiency, which can have very similar symptoms.

I have two Type 2 horses. Both have symptoms that are controlled through diet, but both had to be retired at a young age because we could not keep them sound while in exercise.

[ilovetheadd27]

Thanks, I appreciate it! We’re doing all the testing for all the things. I appreciate the tips on specific feeds to try. He’s on salt, vitamin E, right now while we’re awaiting repeat bloodwork and the testing and a comprehensive plan with the vet. I have all my fingers crossed for this guy that he’ll be able to get back to his routine/new routine soon

[4horses]

For those of you with type 2 horses, what lameness issues did you see? My mare cross canters and appears lame behind.

[rhershock]

I had both of those things in my gelding. A lot of inexplicable lameness that would come and go too. At one point we thought he had seriously injured his stifle. We brought him in from pasture where he lived 24/7 for a stall overnight and called the vet. The vet came out the next day and he was perfectly sound for the exam and went back out on pasture.

I have had similar situations with him recently since its cold here that he might start stiff with some hind end lameness but by the end of the ride he is limber and riding well. Muscle diseases are really fun