Understanding equine gastric ulcer syndrome, its prevalence in performance and pleasure horses, and evidence-based prevention and treatment approaches.
Gastric ulcers in horses represent a widespread, largely preventable welfare problem driven by management practices that conflict with equine digestive physiology. Horses evolved as continuous grazers whose stomach acid production is constant regardless of feeding frequency. Managing horses on restricted hay rations with long fasting periods — particularly overnight — creates conditions ideal for ulcer development. Prevention is primarily management-based: ad libitum forage access, reduced grain in the ration, and feeding before exercise. Performance horse culture often prioritises feeding practices that maximise output over digestive health, requiring industry-wide norm change.