🐎 Preventing Tying Up Syndrome Through Nutrition: Vet-Approved Tips for 2025 🥕💪

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER), commonly referred to as tying up, is a painful and potentially dangerous condition that affects a horse’s muscle system—especially during or after intense exercise. In 2025, equine nutrition plays a key role in preventing both the sporadic and chronic forms of this syndrome. Whether your horse is a high-performance athlete or a weekend warrior, these vet-approved dietary guidelines can help keep muscle breakdown at bay. 🧠🐴

💥 What Is Tying Up Syndrome?

Tying up is a form of exercise-induced muscle damage. It typically manifests as:

• 🔸 Muscle stiffness, especially in the hindquarters
• 😰 Sweating and pain after exercise
• 🚷 Reluctance to move or sudden stopping under saddle
• 🧪 Elevated muscle enzymes (CK, AST) in bloodwork

In severe cases, tying up can even lead to kidney damage due to myoglobin release from the muscles. Immediate veterinary care is essential. 🚨

🔁 Sporadic vs Chronic Tying Up

There are two forms of tying up:

1️⃣ Sporadic Tying Up

• ⚠️ Triggered by sudden or excessive exercise
• 🔥 More common in hot, humid weather
• 💧 Dehydration often a contributing factor
• 🍽️ Nutrition is a major preventive tool

2️⃣ Chronic Tying Up

• 🧬 Linked to genetic conditions like PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy)
• 🧫 Diagnosed with muscle biopsy or blood test
• 🔁 Requires long-term dietary and exercise management

🌿 The Foundation: Forage First

The cornerstone of any diet to prevent tying up is high-quality hay or pasture. Horses should consume:

• 🍀 1.5–2% of their body weight in forage per day
• 📦 That’s 15–20 lbs/day for a 1,000 lb horse

Why forage matters:

• 💧 Helps with hydration and electrolyte balance
• 🌡️ Stabilizes gut fermentation, especially during stress or exertion
• ⚖️ Provides slow-release energy and reduces insulin spikes

Feeding straight alfalfa is discouraged for tying-up-prone horses due to:

• ⚠️ High calcium disrupting mineral balance
• 💥 Excess protein increasing kidney workload

🧪 Test Your Forage

Dr Duncan Houston strongly encourages testing your hay and pasture for nutritional content. Key nutrients to monitor include:

• 🔍 NSC (non-structural carbohydrates)
• 🔍 Calcium-phosphorus ratio
• 🔍 Mineral content (especially selenium, magnesium)

This helps determine if your horse needs supplementation—and ensures you’re not overfeeding risky components. 🧪📊

🥣 Concentrates: Balance is Key

Most athletic horses require more calories than forage can provide. Enter concentrates—grains or pelleted feeds. But they must be fed with caution:

• ❌ Avoid high-starch feeds (sweet feeds, oats, corn)
• ✅ Choose low-NSC, high-fat performance feeds
• ⚖️ Split into multiple small meals daily

Too much starch can spike insulin and exacerbate tying up—especially in horses with PSSM or metabolic tendencies. 🛑📉

🧈 Add Healthy Fats

To provide energy safely, consider adding fat to the diet:

• 🥥 Stabilized rice bran
• 🌻 Flaxseed or sunflower oil
• 🥜 Commercial fat supplements

Fat offers:

• ⚡ Energy without insulin spikes
• 🔥 Supports muscle metabolism during exertion
• 🧠 Enhances coat and hoof health too!

💊 Key Supplements to Support Muscle Health

Supplements can make a big difference for horses at risk of tying up. Consider adding:

• 💎 Vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant to reduce muscle stress
• 🧲 Magnesium – helps with muscle relaxation and neuromuscular function
• 🧬 Selenium (with vet guidance) – supports muscle cell health
• 🧪 Electrolytes – especially in hot/humid conditions or during heavy sweating

Always consult your vet before supplementing selenium or other minerals, as toxicity can occur with excess intake. 🧠💡

📋 Feeding Schedule & Hydration Tips

Good feeding practices go hand-in-hand with good nutrition:

• ⏰ Stick to a consistent feeding schedule
• 💦 Offer clean, cool water at all times
• 🧴 Provide salt or mineral blocks for natural intake
• 🚶 Allow turnout and gentle movement after feeding

These practices help stabilize gut function, improve hydration, and prevent post-meal insulin spikes. 🐴🧘‍♂️

📲 Ask A Vet for Personalized Feeding Help

Not sure how to build the right diet for your horse? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet App to chat with experts. 📱🧠

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can review your feeding plan, test results, and horse’s workload to provide real-time dietary guidance. 🐎💬

🏁 Final Thoughts

Tying up is a serious and often painful condition, but in 2025, we know that nutrition is one of the most powerful tools in prevention—especially for the sporadic form of this syndrome. With the right forage, careful concentrate use, healthy fats, and targeted supplements, your horse can train and compete safely. 🧬💪

Take action now: Get a customized nutrition plan at AskAVet.com and help your horse stay strong and pain-free 🐴🥕