Ulcers are a man-made disease, affecting up to 90 percent of
racehorses and 60 percent of show horses.
Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule also can be a
factor. When horses are fed just twice a
day, the stomach is subjected to a prolonged period without feed to neutralize
its naturally produced acid. In
addition, high-grain diets produce volatile fatty acids that can also
contribute to the development of ulcers.
Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the
likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training and mixing groups of
horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease
the emptying of the stomach and the blood flow to the stomach, thus
contributing to the problem.
The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed
at removing these predisposing factors, thus decreasing acid production within
the horse’s stomach. Follow these tips
from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to properly treat
your horse’s ulcers:
- Allow free-choice access to grass or hay. Horses are designed to be grazers with a regular intake of roughage.
- If the horse must be stalled, arrange for the horse to see the horses he socializes with. Consider offering a ball or other object that the horse can enjoy in his stall.
- Feed the horse more frequently to help buffer the acid in the stomach.
- Decrease grains that form volatile fatty acids.
- Medications that decrease acid production are available, but are only necessary in horses showing signs of clinical disease or when the predisposing factors, such as stress, cannot be removed.
The prevention of ulcers is the key. Limiting stressful situations along with
frequent feeding or free-choice access to grass or hay is imperative. Neutralizing the production of stomach acid
is nature’s best antacid. For more
information about gastric ulcers, ask your equine veterinarian. Additional information also can be found on
the AAEP’s website www.aaep.org/horseowner.
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