Untie the Knot With Allen & Page
Equine Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome* (ERS) may be a new term to many of you although several of you will have heard of Azoturia, Tying-Up or Monday Morning Disease. ERS is simply a newer and more accurate term for the condition, which reflects the progress made in understanding more about its causes and effects.
The syndrome primarily affects the muscles of horses of apparently any age, breed or gender and results in the partial or complete inability to move. It is commonly caused by a tissue-level breakdown of muscle fibres, usually in the large muscle masses of the horse around the croup, loin and thigh area. An attack seems to be triggered by either increased muscle energy (glycogen) stores, supplying more energy through feed than the muscles need, or poor or decreased blood circulation in the muscles. The condition is frequently seen in horses whose diet balances on a knife-edge of minimal fibre and high starch. Dietary or loss of electrolytes through sweating can predispose a horse to an attack as electrolytes are essential for muscle function.
The major source of glycogen in a horse’s diet is found in cereal grains (oats, corn, barley). In ERS a horse’s energy must be provided by other sources such as fibre, fatty acids and amino acids. Amino acids (protein) are essential for growth and tissue repair. Protein can be converted to energy but it is a very inefficient method and most horses do not have huge protein requirements.
By feeding ERS horses with Allen & Page Horse Feeds Sugar & Cereal Intolerance Diet you can provide a balanced diet whilst avoiding the ingredients that can trigger the potentially lethal condition.
Sugar & Cereal Intolerance Diet has been formulated specifically for the avoidance of cereal, molasses and sugar whilst providing a horse with all the nutrients he needs. This feed includes long fibre (unmolassed alfalfa and oat straw chaff), a small amount of micronised peas, linseed, locust beans, several herbs and yeast to provide a rich natural source of vitamins - over 20 different ingredients in total. The inclusion of Protexin may help to maintain healthy digestive and immune systems.
