Horse Gastric Ulcer Prevention: Diet and Management Strategies

Gastric ulcers affect the majority of performance horses and are directly linked to management practices. Prevention through appropriate diet and husbandry significantly improves equine welfare.

Key Facts

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects an estimated 60-90% of racehorses and 37-60% of performance horses
The horse's stomach produces acid continuously — unlike humans, horses evolved to graze constantly, buffering acid with forage
Intermittent feeding and periods without forage allow acid to accumulate and damage the stomach lining
Stress — from intense training, transport, competition, and social instability — increases acid production and ulcer risk
Signs include poor performance, reluctance to work, weight loss, altered behaviour, and occasionally colic
Omeprazole (GastroGard) is the gold standard treatment and is highly effective when used correctly
Prevention centres on continuous forage access, reduced concentrate feeding, and stress minimisation
Alfalfa hay has buffering properties and reduces ulcer severity when included in the diet

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers cause chronic pain that directly affects performance and quality of life. Horses with active ulcers show signs of discomfort during girthing, reluctance to work under saddle, and altered social behaviour — often attributed to "attitude" rather than pain. The prevalence in performance horses reflects the fundamental mismatch between their digestive physiology and management practices: horses evolved to trickle-feed for 16+ hours per day, but performance management often involves meal feeding with long intervals, intense exercise, and high-concentrate diets. These are management choices, not inevitable consequences of equine physiology. Prevention through appropriate feeding management is achievable and dramatically reduces the unnecessary suffering of millions of horses.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have continuous access to forage — never leave them without hay or pasture for more than 4-6 hours
Reduce concentrate meal size and frequency — spread daily concentrate across multiple small feeds
Include alfalfa in the diet as a natural ulcer buffer, particularly before exercise
Monitor for subtle ulcer signs: reluctance to work, girthiness, altered behaviour, poor performance
Request gastroscopy if ulcers are suspected — diagnosis guides appropriate treatment
Minimise unnecessary transport and competition stress — schedule recovery periods
Advocate for feeding management guidelines addressing ulcer risk in equestrian sport