Mares Tying Up, Electolytes

Richard K. Stewart (stewart@prolog.net)
Sun, 10 Nov 1996 16:09:34 -0500 (EST)

Ed,

G'Day from lovely eastern Pennsylvania, USA.

>The other query is over electrolyte mixes we use the Ridgway
>formula of two parts of table salt to two parts of lite salt and one part of
>dolomite. the is works pretty well but we are looking to improve on this.
>Has anybody got any suggestions?

We have used Dr. Ridgways formula for over 10 years and feel it works well.
My own opinion is that more is not needed unless you have specific problems
you are trying to counteract, or you want the convenience of a commercial
product. There was a lengthy thread on the subject several months ago on
this forum (you can go to the web site for the archives). I'm sure many
others will repond with recommendations, however, as many people swear by
one brand or another. In my opinion, electrolytes are much like vitamines.
The body needs them, but there is much controversy as to which ones need
supplimentation and in what quantity.

>I have a couple of other queries. The first we have a pure bred arab mare
>who is a qualified endurance horse but has a real problem tying up when she
>is fit and then comes into season. Has anybody had this happen, and knows
>of a cure.
>
>Thanks in anticipation, Ed and Linda Blanchard

Yes, we and numerous other people have had problems with mares tying up,
especially as they become more fit and competative. To my knowlege, there
have not been any formal studies on the subject (somebody out there correct
me if ones exists, I would love to see it!), but there is much acnecdotal
evidence to support the theory that mares and high strung geldings are more
prone to tying up than horses with more relaxed temperaments.

Here are a couple of suggestions from long years of experience.

1) Do long, slow warmup type rides as often as you can between hard training
days (every day if possible). This tends to keep the mare more relaxed and
works the muscles so that when actually on a training ride (or a
competition), it is not such a change to routine physically or (just as
important) mentally. In fact, a good friend of ours (and first FEI
Endurance World Champion, 1986) Sandy Schuler DVM calls them her "anti-tie
up" rides.

2) Postpone heat if possible with medication. A product called Regumate is
available in the USA and is one of only a very few medications the AERC
allows in competition. It will effectively postpone heat as long as it is
given according to directions. It is expensive and messy, however, and I
have known some women to have problem with their own cycles if they get some
on their skin. It is also is a hassle as it must be given on a daily basis.

3) Use Regumate intermittantly to time the mares cycles so she is not in
heat during competition. Most mares will cycle shortly after stopping the
drug, so it is possible to time when the mare is in heat.

4) The last several years we have used an implant called Synovet that is
actually manufactured for cattle. It will keep the mare out of heat for a
couple of months in our experience and has not shown any side effects. I
have only used it on our own horses and cannot vouch for the legality issue,
especially in AUS. Talk to your own veterinarian.

My wife, having ridden nothing but mares for the last 13 years, recently
started competing with a new gelding she is bringing along and loves the
fact that she does not have to worry about this problem now. She has done
well with her mares, however (one is a Tevis Cup winner and the other
finished 3rd and 5th on the Tevis) so it can be done. Both mares showed at
one time or another a tendency to tie up.

I would love to see someone do the research (at least from an
epidemiological perspective) to see what percentage of chronic tie up
endurance horses are mares. I would bet it is grater than 70%.

Good luck, and don't get discouraged.

Richard K. Stewart DVM
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania