Gastric Ulcers in horses, an overview

Between 65 and 100% of the domestic horse population has gastric ulcers, according to research. The risk is highest in horses in the highest levels of competition, e.g. racing. This means that horses are more likely than not to have gastric ulcers – scary!

What are the risk factors of developing ulcers?

· High starch feeds

· Long periods in between feeds

· Inadequate fibre

· Inadequate turnout

· Inadequate water

· Intensive exercise

· Stabling for long periods

· Travelling frequently 

· Stress (weaning, individual housing/turnout, yard moves, travel, box rest etc)

Looking at the risk factors, it’s actually no wonder that the competition horse is at a higher risk: their lifestyle is literally a recipe for ulcer development.

Ulcers develop from damaged mucosa, which happens via a number of different ways: 

· Excessive starch can make the stomach more acidic as it changes the environment.

· Stress leads to production of cortisol, and cortisol is a precursor to stomach acid production – thus stress = excess acid.

· High intensity exercise on an empty stomach means that the acidic liquids which should be at the glandular and ventral (bottom) areas of the stomach, can accesses the non-glandular, dorsal (top) areas of the stomach (these are not designed to cope with the high acidity secretions, and are damaged by the acid, causing ulcers).

So, how do we support our horses to hopefully prevent ulcers in the first place? Prevention is always better than cure.

• Turnout - with others, wherever possible: equines are herd animals, so isolation = danger!

• Ensure access to forage at all times (low energy if needed). 

• Give a haynet or a bucket with some chaff before exercising, to ensure they don’t start their work on an empty stomach.

• Make sure they always have access to clean water.

• Minimise unavoidable stresses. Whilst some stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate it. For example: If you travel a lot, make sure they have access to a hay net or similar to nibble on the way. Travel with company, if the horse is happier that way. If you have to box rest, try and make sure they have company, consider giving a calmer and regular enrichment.  

If restricting grazing, make sure they have company (at least over the fence) and make sure they have some forage – soaked hay, or double netted hay if they need calories restricting: it is crucial they don’t go long periods without fibre in their gut. A horse has evolved to constantly forage: there are behavioural and physiological consequences if this need isn’t met. 

What you feed matters!

It is always tempting, once we identify a problem, to throw everything at it all at once. Sometimes it is better to take a slower, measured and more natural pace towards a species appropriate solution: A clean, high fibre diet rich in plant diversity.

Nia’s Masters dissertation involved research into the evidence of various herbs and their active compounds for improving gastric ulcers in horses, and these studies unearthed a huge variety of herbs with proven benefits to the health of the gastrointestinal tract of horses. Horses have evolved to eat plants, so plants are an excellent starting place to naturally address a man-made issue, especially when it comes to prevention.

Given that the domestic horse lives a life that is literally a recipe for developing ulcers, it’s a good idea to support their gastrointestinal health with relevant herbs, alongside a species appropriate, high-fibre diet, and a lifestyle that's congruent to their evolutionary behaviour: turnout with company, a diet consisting of a high variety of plants, and plenty of time to just be a horse, naturally.

 

Nia A Cooke MSc, BSc (hons), DipEqNut, DEP