How to Diagnose Tying-Up Disease in Horses

Tying-up syndrome is also called cording up and set fast disease, and it is also incorrectly referred to as exertion myopathy. It is a mild form of azoturia and manifests with similar symptoms, but not as profound. Tying-up appears in the skeletal muscles after prolonged and exhaustive physical activity. Often referred to as a muscle metabolism problem by veterinarians, it's hard to determine its root cause.

Instructions

    • 1

      Immediately stop exercising your horse if his stride shortens and he cramps up and refuses to move. Examine him for profuse sweating, rapid pulse and elevated respiration. Promptly call the veterinarian for assistance.

    • 2

      Determine if your horse will move. Most will not, but if he does and you note a stiff, stilted gait primarily in the hindquarters, you are likely dealing with tying-up disease. Stop the horse where he stands and wait for the vet.

    • 3

      Examine your horse further for muscle trembling and cramping. This disease is normally more common in mares in heat but does affect geldings and stallions. Review your warm-up and cooldown procedures to prevent this happening again. Take the 15 minutes to warm up and cool down, it's safer.

    • 4

      Assess if your horse is presenting with muscle spasms, the hardening and contracting of the hindquarter muscles. Tying-up disease seems to be more prevalent in young, unfit Quarter Horses and high strung Thoroughbreds.

    • 5

      Check your horse's gums for capillary refill time. They may be pale and when tested by pressing a thumb into the gum, it takes a long time for the blood to fill back in. Note the time it takes and tell the veterinarian.

    • 6

      Look for pawing, flaring nostrils and dark brown urine, which indicates the release of myoglobin. Keep your horse on his feet until the vet arrives and make sure he is not moved. Moving makes matters worse.

    • 7

      Obtain a horse blanket and protect your horse from becoming chilled. Reassess his diet to prevent future episodes of tying-up. Feed a diet that is low in carbs or no carbs at all and make sure its high in fat.