Gastric ulcer disease affects the majority of performance horses, causing chronic pain that is frequently overlooked due to subtle clinical signs.
Gastric ulcers in horses represent a pervasive welfare problem that is largely a consequence of management practices incompatible with equine physiological needs. Horses evolved to graze continuously, maintaining a steady flow of saliva to buffer stomach acid. When confined to stables and fed twice daily, the equine stomach — which produces acid continuously — is regularly exposed to high acid concentrations without the buffering effect of saliva and forage. The resulting ulcers cause chronic pain that horses cannot easily communicate, meaning many animals endure suffering for extended periods before diagnosis. Management changes — maximizing forage access, reducing stabling time, and minimizing stress — are both preventive and therapeutic. Medication without management change leads to recurrence.