Tires easily, sore back, bucks, lameness, cranky..

[Elaine]

Tying up syndrome (Polysaccharide storage myopathy or PSSM for short) - muscles were going in to spasm, they were cramping, causing considerable pain.

Symptoms:

• all around stiffness
  
• difficulty rising
  
• reluctance to “move out”
  
• tires easily
  
• saddle issues (sore back)
  
• bucking
  
• resistance to holding up the hind feet for shoeing or cleaning
  
• subtle lameness episodes
  
• abnormal gait
  
• scranky attitude
  
• muscle tremors or sensitivity
  
• kicking at flies that aren’t there (muscle cramps)
  
• excessive tail swishing (muscle pain)
  
• looking at belly or flanks as if colicky (muscle pain)
  
• having a preference for rubbing or rolling a lot, or in some cases the opposite with resistance to brushing/grooming, especially over the back and rump
  
• affected horses may show a stiff, tense gait with difficulty getting that nice relaxed rhythmic swing that is so desirable in the dressage horse or any other athletic, sport horse
  
• symptoms of “shivers” where there is an abnormal hind leg action and muscle quivering has been described in draft breeds
  
  

1 possible solution - diet change (can work very well)