Buckaroo Texan Blog

 I had heard about horses tying up but I had never seen it and hope I never do again.
It was a pretty afternoon between rain and snow spells and a balmy 63 degrees when I got in from work.  I saddled and worked Rojo, my coming 4 year old colt,  in the round pen, after he had been off from riding for many weeks due to the extreme winter weather.  We did our basic groundwork and he seemed really nice and smooth with only one little playful kickup during our warmup.  He loped out both ways smooth and his transitions were nice.
I mounted up and went for a nice ride.  He seemed to be getting tired and running out of gas which is not like him after about 10 minutes of riding, he just didn’t seem right..  It was getting dark when I asked for a few nice bends and called it a ride and dismounted.

  The Signs of  Horses Tying Up   

Just moments after dismounting I noticed:
1.  Tremors-   he was shaking all over.
2. He was sweating some, which is understandable with his long winter hair and the warm afternoon.  I started to lead him back to the barn and
3.  He seemed to be having trouble walking, he did not want to move his hind end and he was tight and trembling in his flanks and seemed tight over his loin..  

All sorts of things were running thru my head, but I knew something was not right.   I went to the house and got him some Xango, to reverse any inflammation issues, 
 grabbed my acupressure  book and cell phone.

 Back at the barn I got him unsaddled.  The western buckaroo needs to be prepared to handle a lot of medical emergencies since  we are generally far from veterinary services.

Natural Treatment  for Horses Tying Up
1. I  gave him mangosteen juice with a syringe and then called my holistic veterinarian.  She said he was tying up, and even though I had never witnessed tying up before, I agreed right away because this was the first thing that went through my mind. .    He had some relief  by the time I got her on the phone after giving him  the XanGo.  It is a super antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.  

2. She had me give him 4 doses of arnica, every 15 minutes  for muscle pain.

3.   I gave him have some well moistened feed with salt or electrolytes

4. Let him stand, not force him to move until the symptoms let up.

5. While waiting between doses of arnica, I refered to my acupressure book for points to work on a horse that is tying up.  I worked 5 different points and could see several really good releases in the tightness and cramping as I worked.  Rojo could really stay with me and realize I was helping his pain. 

FOLLOW UP to TYING UP:

1. Rojo would need a week of rest and let things get rebalanced and then go back into work.
2. Check Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium and Calcium amounts available. .  Some horses need more than others, Extreme weather changes cause stress in young growing horses, they can be  prone to Tying Up.
3. Chiropractic acupressure to help rebalance energy flow in the whole body and help the muscles heal and relieve the soreness.  Check points as a pre-ride loosening and toning while the weather is still in extreme patterns.
4. Re-evaluate riding schedule, slow down the warm-up and gradually increase the riding time, make sure the horse is moving free.

It was a mild case of tying up and Rojo came out of it very quick and was moving fine in just a few hours.  I appreciate my holistic equine vet being available most anytime day or night. 
My training is in the Buckaroo Way and I offer consultation services to those who believe in partnership of horse and rider.