Question
I have a Standardbred filly in race training that suffers from tying-up. Is it OK to feed her alfalfa, or will that make the tying-up worse?
Answer
Horses diagnosed with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) usually do better on a predominantly grass-hay diet. A small amount of alfalfa, however, can be beneficial to high-performance horses, like racehorses, as they have higher dietary energy requirements. For horses with lower caloric requirements, you could supplement some alfalfa (as long-stem hay or pellets) to an all-grass forage program, or source grass-alfalfa mixed hay, with about 10-20% alfalfa. Feeding straight alfalfa to horses with RER is not advised, as this may lead to excess energy, which may manifest as nervous behavior and trigger an episode of tying-up.
Reducing nonstructural carbohydrates (starch and sugar) in the diet by limiting cereal grain intake can help manage RER. Fat (rice bran, vegetable oil) and fermentable fiber (beet pulp, soybean hulls) sources are used to replace starch and sugar but still provide important calories for horses with elevated energy needs.
Kentucky Equine Research developed a feed, RE-LEVE, specifically for horses that require a low-starch, low-sugar diet, such as those with RER or polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). Studies conducted at Kentucky Equine Research showed that horses fed RE-LEVE had less muscle damage than those fed traditional sweet feed.
Daily supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium benefit horses diagnosed with RER, as these supplements protect muscles and reduce oxidative damage. KER Targeted Nutrition supplements provide nutritional solutions for performance horses. Nano•E and Preserve PS, provide high-quality ingredients and research-proven value. Nano•E is a liquid, natural vitamin E product that rapidly increases vitamin E in blood and muscle. Preserve PS (Preserve in Australia) is a comprehensive antioxidant blend containing vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Other management considerations for horses with RER include reducing stress and excitability when stalled and exercised.
