12/12/2025
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐
๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ฒ๐ง๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐ (๐๐๐๐) ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ.
It's estimated that up to 90% of performance horses may have some form of gastric ulcers, while around 60% of leisure horses can also be affected. The prevalence can vary based on factors like diet, management practices, and stress levels.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐?
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome involves lesions in a horse's stomach and can affect performance and health.
There are 2 areas of the stomach where gastric ulcers can occur.
๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง of the stomach is responsible for acid secretion. It also contains protective coating that keeps the stomach lining from being damaged. Its when this protective coating is compromised that ulcers can occur. This is often caused by the over use of NSAIDS like Bute.
๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ง-๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ portion is the upper part of the stomach which functions as a mixer for stomach contents. This part of the stomach does not contain the protective elements of the glandular part. Ulcers here are commonly linked to dietary factors, such as high-grain diets and infrequent feeding.
It is usually in the non-glandular section of the stomach that ulcers appear.
There is also ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ. At this stage there is no way to accurately diagnose these.
๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ:
โญ High grain diets
โญ Infrequent feeding (horses should ideally not have an empty stomach for longer than 4 hrs)
โญ Stress (training, travel)
โญ Certain medications (like Bute )
โญ Stable confinement
๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก ๐
๐จ๐ซ:
๐ Poor appetite or weight loss
๐ Dull coat and lethargy
๐ Behavioural changes (girthiness, irritability)
๐ Mild colic and digestive issues
๐ Increased salivation or teeth grinding
๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ:
Gastroscopy is the only definitive way to diagnose EGUS.
๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ:
โ
Medications like omeprazole.
โ
Dietary changes: frequent feeding, adding alfalfa, reducing grain.
โ
Management adjustments: reduce stress, provide pasture turnout.
โ
Prevention Tips:
โ
Maintain a consistent feeding schedule.
โ
Minimise stress.
โ
Use medications like Bute cautiously.
โ
Include a good quality probiotic and gut health product like๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ in your horses daily feed.
โ
Feed a small, calcium rich feed before work or travel.
Always consult your vet for diagnosis and treatment options tailored to your horse!
If your horse is showing signs of ulcers and you would like some advice on how GASTRO GO and/or COMPETE may help.
Please feel free to reach out.
