Help Prevent Ulcers
Life with humans tends to predispose horses to ulcers, but there are steps you can take to reduce your horse’s risk.
The challenge of how to prevent ulcers in horses is an ongoing concern. Most horses that develop ulcers are under stress, whether that be from performance pressures, confinement, or unnatural feeding patterns. Here, we’ll tell you how best to reduce the stressors that can lead to ulcers.
A healthy routine. Ulcers are more prevalent in domestic horses than in wild ones. That doesn’t mean we must turn our horses out and never use them again, but it does suggest we do all we can to provide a healthful regimen for them. That means as much turnout as possible, ideally with pasture mates for socializing.
If practicable, avoid stalling your horse, as research indicates stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers in some horses.
If you compete, consider your horse’s needs for relaxation and downtime when planning your training, competition schedule, and travel. Also, because horses love predictable routine, try to provide as much of it as possible, both at home and when on the road.
Acid buffers. To the extent possible, provide your horse with continuous access to hay (via a slowfeed net) or pasture; this helps protect his stomach lining from the gastric acid his stomach secretes around the clock. The chewed-up food plus the saliva generated by the chewing (a natural “antacid”) create this buffering effect.
Include some alfalfa in your horse’s ration, too, as its calcium content is also an acid buffer. Grain meals, by contrast, should be minimized, as they increase your horse’s gastric acid output. This is also true of periods of fasting, which is why continuous feeding on forage or at least more frequent mealtimes (at intervals of no more than six hours apart) are important.
Be aware, too, that NSAIDs (such as bute) can decrease the production of the stomach’s protective mucous layer if given for too long a period of time or in overly large dosages. Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
Ulcer symptoms. Intermittent colic is the most common symptom, especially if pain occurs immediately following a meal. Decreased appetite, meal fussiness, and overall poor condition may also point to ulcers.
Diarrhea is typically not a symptom, and studies have shown that behavior changes aren’t a reliable sign of ulcers.
The only sure way to know if your horse suffers from ulcers is to have your vet perform a gastroscopy, or endoscopic examination of your horse’s stomach—a simple and relatively painless procedure with little risk.