Gastric ulcers in horses

The equine digestive system is complex, delicate and absolutely vital to their health and well-being. It is designed to process small but frequent amounts of food each day and absorb it to produce energy. Their digestive system is different from that of other animals, and they are probably more likely to suffer from disorders.

In this blog, we will focus on gastric ulcers. Although they may not be immediately evident, ulcers are a common and, sometimes, persistent problem among leisure and performance horses, especially among race horses. Symptoms can be subtle and intermittent, such as lack of appetite, changes in attitude, low energy, etc., which makes them easy to overlook and difficult to diagnose.

 

The main causes of stomach ulceration are intermittent diets, stress, intense efforts and prolonged administration of medication. Management is also very important to prevent and improve ulcer problems since we can minimize or remove factors that may be risky, such as lack of access to forage for many hours, diets rich in concentrates, starch or carbohydrates, lack of access to water in the pastures, and stress (travels and competitions, changes in routine, in facilities or in relationships within their group).

The stomach produces acid continuously, even when it doesn't receive food. Food intake reduces this production due to saliva secretion, so the horse that eats more frequently has less chance of suffering from ulcers.
Stalled horses and stressful situations, such as long-distance travel, intense training and exposure to unusual situations, also increase the probability of ulcers.

When a horse performs intense exercise, his stomach contracts to help maintain all the abdominal viscera in their position and prevent unwanted displacement or twisting. This causes the acid that is normally more localized to circulate freely throughout the stomach, reaching the parts most susceptible to ulceration. In addition, during sports, blood is diverted to the muscles, lungs and heart, so the stomach receives less blood and is more exposed to acid.

Finally, drugs such as NSAIDs and Phenylbutazone can compromise the gastric mucosa, especially if administered at high doses or for long periods of time, since they reduce gastric defense mechanisms against acid. A sport horse often receives heavy use of these medications to protect them from the effects of hard work, so it is necessary to be right-minded with their use.

Treatment with Omeprazole is effective in many cases of ulcer syndrome, and there are also supplements that have shown very good results in reducing the number and severity of gastric ulcers. Using one of these products long-term can also be a great help in reducing the risk of ulcer recurrence.

GASTRIAID
With antacids, prebiotics and probiotics. It absorbs excess acid, protects the stomach walls, maintains pH and helps digestion. It is indicated for horses prone to or with symptoms of ulcers, digestive disorders or horses subjected to great effort or stress.


ACID PROTECT
It offers natural anti-inflammatory support, maintains the pH of the stomach within neutrality and promotes the healing of gastric ulcers.
 

If we know the possible causes of ulcers, we can reduce the chances of our horse suffering from them by trying to eliminate risks. Dietary management is essential for the gastrointestinal health of the horse, as well as reducing stressful situations as much as possible. As always, if you notice any problem, consult your veterinarian before making any changes to the horse's diet to solve it or administering any medication.