Research by Stephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Beth Valentine, D.V.M., Ph.D., indicate that our belief in lactic acid buildup as the trigger for tie-up may be unfounded. There is research going on that will look for a genetic marker for the syndrome, and also research on treating the disorder through diet. Very interesting and fascinating stuff! Especially since much of what happens to throughbred horses, also may be predisposed to our arabian and part arabian equines.
Unraveling tying up syndrome
I like your new header - very cute.
ReplyDeleteLike the new header too! It makes more sense to me that the tying up symptoms would be more due to calcium/potassium/sodium ion channel problems in muscle cells, which likely has a genetic component.
ReplyDeleteDid you see that crazy story linked off of Behind the Bit today? NOT that I think you should try as hard as THAT lady does to manage Phoebes and keep competing her - more because the horse had some weird glycogen variant of tying up. There's an awful lot more to it than we've figured out so far.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. It is extraordinary what some are able to do for their equine friends.
I have in fact NOT given up on Phebes. But I feel she needs a rest period to settle down any underlying issues. We have "tweaked" her supplementation and increased her fat intake and her muscles are feeling much better over the rump. We have been riding about once a week, and we utilize all the gaits for about five miles. Just enough to not totally lose her fitness. I may yet have some kind of shot with her, and then not. But my bases are covered (I hope) with Journey who will be my primary horse for at least the next year. Either way, I feel Phebes is making progress healthwise at this time.
Oh excellent! I just didn't want you to think I was showing you that because you just didn't try hard enough. You've tried plenty hard, and you're still trying, and you deserve an easier horse TOO.
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