| Winston Churchill said, "No hour of life is wasted that is | | | | determined. Dr. Valberg's research has focused on |
| spent in the saddle." It's unlikely, though, that Churchill | | | | diagnosing the disorder and managing it through |
| ever experienced a horse with polysaccharide storage | | | | specific diet and training regimens. Horses with PSSM |
| myopathy (PSSM), one of the causes of tying-up | | | | respond favorably to a lower-starch diet |
| disease. PSSM is an incredibly painful, inherited muscle | | | | supplemented with fat. However, Dr. Valberg notes, |
| condition most commonly found in quarter horses, draft | | | | the added fat must be in balance with the horse's |
| horses, warmbloods and some other breeds. | | | | activity level and should never be excessive. |
| With help from Morris Animal Foundation, Dr. Stephanie | | | | "Scientific evidence proves that it is not necessary to |
| J. Valberg of the University of Minnesota has been | | | | feed a horse 1 pound of fat a day as you may see |
| studying the disorder for more than 20 years, and | | | | recommended on the Internet," she says. |
| she's learned a lot about managing it. | | | | Consistent exercise is also a crucial component in |
| "We discovered that horses with PSSM are very | | | | treating horses with PSSM. Horses should be turned |
| sensitive to diets that increase their blood sugar and | | | | out daily, and the amount of time they spend in a stall |
| insulin concentrations," Dr. Valberg says. "They develop | | | | should be reduced as much as possible. Gentle |
| notable muscle pain and cramping while on high-grain | | | | exercise should begin after the horse has been on the |
| diets and have deficient energy when they exercise." | | | | new diet for two weeks. If you suspect your horse |
| In horses with PSSM, glucose builds up in the muscles, | | | | has PSSM, contact your equine veterinarian and |
| making it unavailable when it's needed for energy. The | | | | discuss appropriate diagnostic tests, because tying up |
| disorder comes in two forms: type 1 is caused by a | | | | can occur for reasons other than PSSM. If PSSM is |
| genetic mutation, which can be diagnosed through a | | | | confirmed, implement a diet that reduces starches and |
| DNA test of hair roots or blood. Type 2 is diagnosed | | | | sugars and begin a gentle exercise program. |
| by muscle biopsy, but a genetic basis has not yet been | | | | |