"I assume all endurance horses are tie-ups waiting to happen after any significant management change, as in long travel," says veterinarian Nancy Elliot. "For the first few days (after travel), you really need to be aware of the most minute signs. The main thing is knowing 'normal.'"
An abnormal amount of sweat is one sign -- it's tricky to decipher if the weather is especially hot. Difficulty at the walk is another of the early signs. "From personal experience, I've found the first signs of tie-ups are observed at the walk," explains Elliot. "The horses will walk a little bit shorter. If you stop and let them stand, you'll feel the muscles get a little tighter than normal when you walk out again."
Observing the following precautions during travel and immediately following the trip may avert tying-up:
During the Trip:
Free choice grass hay -- NO alfalfa hay
12 hours prior to shipping back off any or all grain
Water as often as horse will drink
Provide electrolytes
Hand walk as much as possible
Following the Trip:
Begin the return to work with plenty of long walks
After two to three days, introduce the trot at a working trot only -- NO COLLECTION -- for about 30 seconds, then drop back to a walk
Do this walk-trot-walk routine repeatedly over about one hour's time for four to five days.
Your health expert is: Michael Q. Lowder, DVM, MS
University of Georgia
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Large Animal Medicine
Athens, Georgia 30602-7385
E-mail your questions to Health@horsecity.com
The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of HorseCity.com, its management or parent companies. As always, consult with your local veterinarian.
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