Companion Animals

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome and Welfare

Gastric ulcers affect an estimated 40-90% of performance horses and are a significant welfare problem linked to management practices including feeding patterns, stress and anti-inflammatory drug use.

Key Facts

Gastric ulcers are diagnosed in 37% of leisure horses and up to 90% of racehorses in active training
Horses evolved to graze continuously, keeping acid buffered by saliva and forage in the stomach
Periods without forage of more than 2 hours allow acid to damage the unprotected squamous mucosa
Signs include poor performance, stereotypic behaviour, girthiness and changes in temperament

Welfare Considerations

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is closely linked to management practices that deviate from the evolutionary norm of continuous grazing. Horses stabled for more than 12 hours, fed two large meals daily and exercised on empty stomachs are at highest risk. Management changes that maximise forage access reduce ulcer incidence significantly without pharmaceutical intervention.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have access to continuous forage with no more than 2-hour gaps
Feed a small amount of hay or haylage before exercise to buffer gastric acid
Minimise NSAID use which reduces prostaglandin-mediated stomach protection
Consult your vet about gastroscopy if behavioural changes or poor performance suggest ulceration