Muscular Diseases in Horses

Welcome to your comprehensive resource on muscular diseases in horses!

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or new to horse care, understanding the symptoms, treatments, and management strategies for muscular conditions is crucial for your horse’s performance and well-being.

Muscular diseases in horses can manifest in various ways, including stiffness, weakness, and exercise intolerance. Recognizing these symptoms early can make a significant difference in your horse’s comfort and athletic ability. Our articles cover a wide range of muscular conditions, from common issues like Tying-up (Exertional Rhabdomyolysis), Lordosis (Swayback) and Muscle Abscess to more complex diseases such as Atypical Myopathy, Clostridial Myositis and Anaplasma Rhabdomyolysis.

Each article delves into the underlying causes of these conditions, evidence-based treatments including dietary adjustments, exercise programs, and therapeutic interventions like massage and physical therapy. Whether you’re looking for advice on managing your horse’s workload, signs to watch for during exercise, or seeking guidance on when to consult a veterinarian or equine physiotherapist, we’ve got you covered.

Stay informed and empowered to give your horse the best possible care. Explore our collection of articles below and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to support your horse’s muscular health.

Think your horse has a muscular issue?  –  Check out the Happie Horse Symptom Checker.


Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or new to horse care, understanding the symptoms, treatments, and management strategies for muscular conditions is crucial for your horse’s performance and well-being.

Muscular diseases in horses can manifest in various ways, including stiffness, weakness, and exercise intolerance. Recognizing these symptoms early can make a significant difference in your horse’s comfort and athletic ability. Our articles cover a wide range of muscular conditions, from common issues like Tying-up (Exertional Rhabdomyolysis), Lordosis (Swayback) and Muscle Abscess to more complex diseases such as Atypical Myopathy, Clostridial Myositis and Anaplasma Rhabdomyolysis.

Our Articles on Muscular Diseases

Learn all about Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

A muscle abscess in horses is a localized infection within the muscle tissue, typically resulting in swelling, pain, and heat at the site of the abscess.
Muscular

Muscle Abscess in Horses

Muscle Abscess in Horses Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus equi, and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are common causes of skeletal muscle abscesses, which develop after penetrating injuries or by hematogenous or local spread of infection. Initially,

Sarcocystis myositis in horses is a parasitic infection causing muscle inflammation, stiffness, and weakness.
Muscular

Sarcocystis Myositis

Sarcocystis Myositis Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Sarcocystis myositis is a disease in horses caused by the parasitic protozoan Sarcocystis spp., which infects and damages muscle tissue, leading to muscle pain, weakness, and lameness. This parasite affects

Lordosis (Swayback) in horses is a condition where the spine curves excessively downward, causing discomfort and affecting performance.
Muscular

Lordosis in Horses (Swayback)

Lordosis in Horses (Swayback) Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Lordosis, commonly known as swayback, is a spinal condition in horses characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, usually sagging downward in the lumbar region. This condition

Fibrotic myopathy in horses is a condition where muscle fibers become stiff and fibrous, leading to lameness and reduced mobility.
Muscular

Fibrotic Myopathy

Fibrotic Myopathy Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease Fibrotic myopathy is a mechanical lameness of the hind limb in horses, caused by restriction of the action of the horse’s muscles. It occurs when horses injure their semitendinosus and

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in horses is a muscle disorder triggered by exercise, leading to muscle stiffness, pain, and cramping.
Muscular

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis is a disease which is associated with exercise, it causes muscle fatigue, pain, cramping and necrosis of skeletal muscle fibers. It is

Equine motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological disorder in horses causing muscle weakness, weight loss, and trembling.
Diseases

Equine Motor Neurone Disease

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Equine motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological disorder in horses causing muscle weakness, weight loss, and trembling.

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) is a genetic disorder affecting glycogen storage, causing muscle weakness and death in foals.
Congenial (Genetic)

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED)

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Glycogen is an important energy source for tissue within the body, and is vital for maintaining normal glucose levels in the body and

Clostridial Myositis in horses is a rapidly progressing bacterial infection causing severe muscle inflammation and tissue death.
Muscular

Clostridial Myositis

Clostridial Myositis This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Clostridial myositis is a rare but serious bacterial infection, which causes inflammation and death of muscle and release of bacterial toxins into the bloodstream.This type of

Atypical Myopathy in horses is a severe, often fatal muscle disorder caused by ingesting toxins from certain trees.
Muscular

Atypical Myopathy

Atypical Myopathy This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Atypical myopathy (“Sycamore poisoning”) is a potentially fatal disease of horses in the UK and Northern Europe caused by eating Sycamore seeds (“helicopters”) or possibly leaves.This

Each article delves into the underlying causes of these conditions, evidence-based treatments including dietary adjustments, exercise programs, and therapeutic interventions like massage and physical therapy. Whether you’re looking for advice on managing your horse’s workload, signs to watch for during exercise, or seeking guidance on when to consult a veterinarian or equine physiotherapist, we’ve got you covered.

Stay informed and empowered to give your horse the best possible care.
Explore our collection of articles above and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to support your horse’s muscular health.

Think your horse has a muscular issue? Check out the Happie Horse Symptom Checker.