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ERS, also known as Azoturia, tying-up, set-fast and Monday morning disease

Carol Phillips Carol Phillips
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    This article has been edited and approved by Karen Coumbe MRCVS, H&H’s veterinary advisor since 1991.

    • Azoturia, which is more correctly described as equine or exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome (ERS) and is also referred to as set-fast, tying-up and Monday morning disease, is a disturbance of the horse’s normal muscle function. It can be compared to severe muscle cramp and it tends to happen during the early part of a horse’s exercise session, typically in the first 10-30 minutes, and often – but not always – following a period of rest.

    Azoturia/ERS: Signs | Causes | Immediate management | Diagnosis | Treatment | Recovery management | Avoidance | Prognosis

    When a horse has a severe azoturia attack, the muscle fibres are damaged and release muscle breakdown products into the bloodstream. Usually it is the large muscle masses of the horse, around the croup, loins and thigh area that are affected. Depending on how many muscle fibres are affected, this can be extremely painful so unsurprisingly the horse will be unwilling to move, may appear distressed and often sweats profusely, hence the name tying-up, which describes the condition clearly.

    Karen Coumbe
    Karen Coumbe
    MA VetMB CertEP CertVA MRCVS
    Our equine veterinary expert has more than 30 years experience in practice. She is an FEI vet and has attended the past three Olympic and two World Equestrian Games in her role. She has a particular interest in anaesthesia, pre-purchase examinations, ophthalmology and dermatology amongst other clinical concerns. She has been Horse & Hound’s official veterinary advisor since 1991. Karen is part of the Bell Equine team.
    Karen Coumbe