Feeding to avoid ulcers while injured
QMy horse is currently on box rest for an injury but I’m worried about him getting ulcers. What can I do? Annette McBride, Truro
ABox rest can be stressful for both you and your horse, with changes in management and exercise causing worries surrounding gastric ulcers. Ulcers don’t have to be inevitable though and there’s many methods to try to reduce the risk: Providing plenty of good quality forage and fibre. It’s an essential part of your horse’s diet and chewing fibrous products causes him to produce saliva that has a natural buffering effect against gastric acid. Fibre satisfies the natural desire to chew and trickle feeding helps maintains a healthy digestive system. Minimise the levels of starch and sugar you feed. This helps against excess gastric acid production. Provide
low-starch balancers for good-doers and feeds with higher oil, lower starch levels than traditional cereals if he needs additional calories. Adding chaff, especially alfalfa, and un-molassed beet pulp, provides additional digestible fibre. Keep his diet balanced – this helps to support and maintain overall health and condition. Feed him little and often. Ensure you spread his meals across the day. Alleviate boredom. There’s loads of ways to keep your horse occupied, including using stable toys, as well as a variety of forage types. You can provide forage in small-holed haynets and in multiple locations around the stable to keep him busy looking for his next snack.