Tying Up

Increasingly over the past few years, we are seeing barrel horses with rhabdomyolysis or tying up syndrome. When a horse ties up, it develops severe cramping or stiffening of the muscles. Enzymes and myoglobin (a protein) from within the muscles leak into the blood. The muscles break down to a variable degree and allows some of its contents to leak through its membranes to the blood. If there is sufficient leakage, it is eliminated by the kidneys, causing dark rusty, reddish brown urine. One problem with tying up is that some people may have not recognized what was actually happening to the horse and thought it was going lame or trying to colic. Newest research from the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, says that stress may be a big factor in causing tying up. Changes in diet, imbalance of electrolytes and abnormal hormonal function, has all been sited as causes. Also altered exercise patterns, excitement and changes in climate. Pain of concurrent lameness has also been blamed. Although tying up seems to be more common in fillies and mares, it also is seen in geldings; it appears less common in stallions. If a horse does tie up, prompt medical is a must. In an acute case of tying up, one of the most important things is to make the horse as comfortable and as relaxed as possible. One should also try to make sure the animal does not become dehydrated. Do not give a diuretic such as lasix. It will just further dehydrate the animal and worsen the condition. Do not force the horse to move. The vet will likely test the horse’s blood for the aforementioned enzymes to confirm that the horse is tying up. The he will try to ascertain the cause. Often vitamin E and selenium supplements are recommended.