⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Tying-up (muscle cramping) in horses
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Stiff, short-strided or unwilling to move during or soon after exercise; sweating; firm, painful hindquarter muscles.
Call your vet now if you see
- Refuses to move or lies down
- Dark red-brown urine
- Heavy sweating, fast breathing, high heart rate
- Repeated episodes
- Can't tell it from colic
What you can do
- Stop exercise right away; don't force the horse to walk.
- Move it only as far as needed to shelter; blanket if cold, shade if hot.
- Offer fresh water.
- Call your vet — blood tests confirm it and rule out colic.
- Hay only until your vet says otherwise.
When to call the vet
Same day for any episode; immediately for call-now signs.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Horse
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.0–101.5 °F | Over 102 °F or under 98 °F |
| Heart rate | 28–44 /min | Over 60 at rest |
| Respiration | 10–24 /min | Over 30 or labored |
| Gums / CRT | Moist pink, refill < 2 s | Pale, white, dark red, purple, tacky |
| Gut sounds | Gurgles both sides | Silent |
| Hydration | Skin pinch back in 1–2 s | Tents > 2–3 s |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
More from Should I Call the Vet?
All 51 topics · Horse records · Parasites & toxic plants by state
Other horse topics
- Minor cuts & scrapes
- Hoof abscess
- Mild colic warning signs
- Thrush
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Laminitis (founder) warning signs
- Choke (esophageal obstruction)
- Mild cough / nasal discharge
- Scratches / mud fever
- Lameness / limping
- Puncture wound / nail in the foot
- Nosebleed
- Fever (high temperature)
- Diarrhea (adult horse)
- Not eating (off feed)
- Not drinking / dehydration
- Leg swelling / stocking up
- Hives (raised bumps)
- Weight loss / poor condition
- Dental problems / quidding
- Foaling problems (dystocia)
- Retained placenta (after foaling)
- Newborn foal problems
- Stumbling / neurological signs
- Snake bite
- Toxic plant eaten
- Cast horse (stuck lying down)
- Lost shoe / hoof crack
- Tail rubbing
- Vaccine reaction
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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