Page 468 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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Figure 11.2 Gluteal muscle atrophy in a horse with a pelvic fracture
EXERTIONAL RHABDOMYOLYSIS SYNDROME (ERS)
This is a syndrome where the skeletal muscle fibres of the horse become damaged and die in
response to exercise. The lumbar muscles and the gluteal muscles in the hindquarters are
most commonly affected. It can occur as an acute single event or as a mild recurrent form.
The condition is also known as azoturia, tying-up, set fast, exertional myopathy, Monday
morning disease and paralytic myoglobinuria.
Clinical Signs
The symptoms characteristically start within 10–30 minutes of the onset of exercise.
• The horse experiences painful cramp-like symptoms which vary in severity from slight
stiffness of gait to being unable to move at all, hence the name ‘tying-up’. In extreme
cases, collapse and death can occur.
Initially, the horse may feel as though he is rolling from side to side and the hindquarters
