I have a clysdale thourbred cross that is on a diet for epsm, even though I never had him tested. He had shivers, and hind end stiffness and the diet worked beautifully for him. For some reason this last year, he has hurt himself quit a bit (new ranch)he has a super big stall, and nice arena turn out, but he'll kick the fence at another horse and hurt his leg, or most recently he cast himself (in a huge stall). I noticed after the kick to the fence, even though he had swelling(outside of cannon bone) he wasn't lame and swelling went down by next day, then just a hard bump which didn't seem to bother him at all and it is still there figured it just calcifiyed, but even before that he would lift each hind leg and shift weight when being groomed on the cross ties. Not to his belly, but just up, part way, like something was on his legs. Had more problems with picking up hind legs and one time sunk into me while I was picking that back foot. Thought well maybe his shivers are acting up. Then he cast himself about 2 1/2 weeks later and the other back leg was really off. Immediatly gave bute 2x a day and slowly hand walked him, was good with that, still lame on cast leg but slowly getting better. Then decided to put standing wraps on both hind legs for support over nite, and next morning was super lame on both legs. Looked tied up, could hardly walk. Had vet out checked blood all came back perfect. He is eating, drinking, and all that good stuff. But his hind muscles are so tight and spasmism, he can hardly walk, he puts all his weight on his front legs which are now shaking from holding himself up, and his back legs are camped under him. The vet recteled him and said his intestines were even spasiming, so he gave him a smooth muscle relaxer for that, and is thinking that maybe when he cast himself a week ago he may have hurt the sacrollic joint, so he did four steroid shots in that area. He's a little better the next day, certainly no worse. But I guess my question is how long can a tye up last? If thats what it is. Or is this epsm, or shivers out of control? Even though the blood panel came back really good, except for one thing and that was his thyroid, the vet said esstianly there was none. Could that be the cause of this? Vet doesn't want to throw to much at this all at once, if he doesn't have to. His diet is 2 flakes alfalfa morn. & nite, and purina w/s low starch 3 pounds per day divided, with 1 cup oil in each. Olive oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil. He is a bit chubby,and has been on a diet to lose weight, which he has, but does still have some fat pockets, most of which are gone. Any idea's on what else to check for, maybe have the muscle bio. done? even though the blood was fine during an apparent tie up or whatever it is. Any advice would help. Thanks

For sure you need to keep working with your veterinarian here. But, this certainly sounds like muscle issues. It could be that the injuries put enough strain on his muscles to cause problems. I'd recommend adding at least 2000 IU of vitamin E to his daily diet. Extra vitamin E never hurts and sometimes helps. Also gradually incresae the oil to 2.5-3 cups per day. Two cups oil per day is a 1000 pound horse "dose" and I'm betting he weighs more than that. You could cut other calories by feeding a grass hay rather than the alfalfa hay since weight is an issue. And, as much turnout time and whatever exercise he can do will also be important. I hope this helps, and good luck!

thanks, i'll add the extra oil, i'll switch him back to some grass hay (bermuda is all we have)and cut back on the alfalfa. I do supplement with vitamen E and selenium but i'll check the dosage.Farrier was out today as he was due, he took 1 look at him and said it was his shivers progressing and thats the neurolical part. Vet said to start walking him around a little in his stall, to try to get those muscles to stop locking up, get him thru this weekend and see if the steroids kick in harder, and then use shock wave therepy on the flank and hind end area. Also agrees its the shivers part, and if we get thru this one, what about the next one? do the shivers progress fast, or is it a hit and miss thing? Had him 3 yrs. never anything like this has happened. you don't think thryoid has anything at all to do with this? also he starting to get very cranky, probably just can't take the pain anymore, its been 5 days of muscle spasism's, i don't know how he's hanging on, i feel terrible,my vet says he's the hardiest horse he's ever came across to tolerate this. Thank-you for your advise, i will put it to use right away!

This all sounds like a reasonable plan to me. Of course, I particularly endorse the diet and exercise part :) If possible, try putting him out with small piles of feed separated and see if he can move enough to get to them. I think that the more he moves the better he will feel.

Sorry to say that there really is no predicting shivers. I doubt thyroid is a problem, but anything that makes him move around less will cause problems with EPSM muscle. And that then starts a viscious cycle. My EPSM draft cross tied up rather than had shivers, but any time he has a foot abscess or other painful lameness that slows him down he quickly tightens up and starts to hobble around rather pitifully. As soon as he gets moving again he goes back to normal. Hopefully more dietary fat will also help your horse. Fingers and toes crossed that something works for him soon.