Articles, case studies & advice

Obesity remains prevalent in the UK leisure sector of horses and ponies and is now also commonly found in the sports and elite horse sectors. It is of great concern to all equine communities from both veterinary and welfare points of view.

Tying-up or ER (exertional rhabdomyolysis) is a problem that every yard will encounter at some point in time with reports of 5-7% of the thoroughbred population being affected.

There are some simple dietary adjustments that can put into place to help reduce the risk of tying-up, or other symptoms of muscle myopathies.

Muscle pain and impaired performance that occurs during or after exercise is known as exertional myopathy and more commonly as tying-up.

Dr. Stephanie Valberg, world-leading specialist in equine muscle myopathies explores the evolutionary, environmental and genetic factors that influence exertional rhabdomyolysis.

In the past 30 years, the understanding of equine gastric ulcer disease (EGUD) has advanced by leaps and bounds. Read the interview with veterinarian Al Merritt.

Back to basics feeding rules.

The clinical signs of EGUS can vary from horse to horse and can also be a reflection of that individual horse’s temperament.

Modern management often limits natural foraging, increases stress (training, early weaning), and uses high-starch diets with too little forage and fibre.