Horse Gastric Ulcer Welfare and Prevention

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome affects the majority of performance horses and causes significant chronic discomfort that often goes unrecognised.

Key Facts

Gastric ulcers affect an estimated 60-90% of racehorses and 50-60% of performance horses generally
Horses evolved to graze continuously — fasting causes gastric acid accumulation and ulcer development
Signs include poor performance, reluctance to work, girthiness, weight loss and changed attitude
Omeprazole treatment is highly effective but expensive and requires long-term management
Management changes — ad libitum forage, reduced stress and small frequent meals — are the best prevention

Welfare Considerations

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is extraordinarily prevalent and largely caused by management practices at odds with equine physiology. Horses kept stabled for long periods without continuous forage access develop acid damage to the squamous stomach region within hours. Competition stress, high-intensity training and NSAID use compound the risk. Many performance horses compete with significant gastric pain, displayed as subtle behaviour changes that owners attribute to reluctance or temperament issues. Providing ad libitum hay or haylage significantly reduces ulcer risk and is the most important preventive measure.

What You Can Do

Provide horses with ad libitum access to forage, particularly during stabling
Never fast horses before exercise — ensure they have access to hay beforehand
Discuss gastric ulcer investigation with your vet if your horse shows behavioural changes
Manage competition stress through gradual preparation and appropriate recovery time