Understanding Tying-Up in Horses: The Causes, Prevention and Support

Tying-up or Azoturia is a painful condition that affects a horse's muscles, causing cramping, stiffness and sometimes debilitating symptoms. For horse owners and trainers, understanding this condition is key to maintaining equine health and performance. 

What is Tying-Up?

Tying-up occurs when muscles experience abnormal contractions, leading to damage and dysfunction. Comparable to severe human muscle cramps, it can result in a horse being unable or unwilling to move. Episodes can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening cases.

Triggers include:

• Strenuous exercise in an unfit horse
• Stress from training or environmental factors
• Nutritional imbalances

Types of Tying-Up

Tying-up can manifest in different forms, depending on the underlying cause:

1. Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER)
   

   • Sporadic ER: Often occurs after intense exercise beyond the horse’s capacity.
   • Chronic ER: Includes conditions like Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) and Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM).
     
     

2. Non-Exercise-Associated Rhabdomyolysis

   • Includes nutritional, inflammatory, toxic or traumatic causes.

Recognising the Signs

Physical signs of tying-up can include:

• Reluctance to move or stiffness during or after exercise
• Firm, painful muscles in the back, gluteals or thighs
• Excessive sweating, shallow breathing and increased heart rate
• Dark brown or reddish urine indicating severe muscle damage

Diagnostics & Treatment

Diagnosis often involves blood tests to check for elevated muscle enzymes, urinalysis and in some cases, muscle biopsies or genetic testing.

Treatment Tips:

• Hydration & Electrolytes: Replace fluids and essential minerals lost during exercise.
• Pain Management: Administer prescribed anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants.
• Rest & Recovery: Reduce physical activity and support muscle healing.

Preventing Tying-Up

One of the best ways to minimise the risk of tying-up is through proper nutrition, hydration and supplementation.

UN-LOCK+ Muscle & Hydration Support

Our premium daily supplement is specifically designed to reduce the risk of tying-up and enhance recovery:

• Key Benefits:
  ✓ Supports healthy muscle function and recovery
  ✓ Replenishes electrolytes lost during exercise
  ✓ Contains Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) to prevent muscle breakdown
  ✓ Optimises hydration and performance for race and competition horses

• Perfect for:
  🏇 Racehorses
  🏆 Sport Horses

Support Your Horse’s Success

Tying-up can hinder your horse’s performance and well-being but with the right care, management and supplements, you can help prevent it and keep your equine athlete in peak condition.

Explore UN-LOCK+ and our full range of performance products to support your horse’s health and success.

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