Understanding Gastric Ulcers in Horses and Building an Ulcer Care Plan

Written by Briony Witherow MSc RNutr. FHEA

Gastric ulcers are a widespread issue among horses, affecting both high-performance athletes and leisure horses. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is classified into two types:

• Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD): Affects the upper, unprotected region of the stomach and responds well to dietary changes.
• Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD): Impacts the glandular, protected stomach lining and often requires veterinary treatment.

Why Your Horse Might Be at Risk

Horses are naturally grazing animals, and their stomachs produce acid continuously. Certain management practices increase the risk of ulcers, including:

• Inadequate forage intake – Fibre buffers stomach acid; without it, ulcers are more likely.
• High-starch diets – Excess starch increases stomach acidity, leading to damage.
• Long gaps between meals – Fasting periods of more than 4-6 hours increase ulcer risk.
• Intense exercise – Can cause stomach acid to splash up onto the unprotective (non-glandular) region of the stomach.

How to Start Your Ulcer Care Plan

Step 1: Assess Your Horse’s Current Diet

• Ensure they receive at least 1.5% of their body weight in forage on a dry matter basis daily (e.g., For a 500kg horse, this translates to about 8.5kg of hay or 12.5kg of haylage (assuming dry matters of 88% and 60% respectively).

·        Limit starch intake to under 2g per kg of body weight daily  and less than 1g per kg of body weight per meal (e.g., for a 500kg horse, max 1kg per day and 500g per meal)

Step 2: Introduce Protective Feeding Strategies

• Offer a pre-exercise fibre meal to create a protective buffer in the stomach. Around 500g of hay or haylage or chaff in the 20 minutes prior to exercise is typically sufficient for a 500kg horse.
• Spread meals out to avoid long fasting periods.
• Use slow feeders to extend chewing time and increase saliva production.

Step 3: Consider Targeted Supplements

While dietary management is key, certain supplements, such as Gastro-Mag, can help buffer stomach acid and provide additional support, especially before exercise or travel.

Conclusion

The foundation of an ulcer care plan is a high-fibre, low-starch diet, strategic feeding schedules, and supportive supplements. By addressing these factors, you can help prevent ulcers and keep your horse healthy. Always consult a vet for diagnosis and veterinary treatment.