Equine Ulcer Prevalence and Management in Performance Horses

Equine gastric and colonic ulcers affect the majority of performance horses and cause significant pain that impairs behaviour, performance and quality of life.

Key Facts

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome affects 60-90% of performance horses including racehorses, eventers and endurance horses
Horses evolved as continuous grazers — their stomachs produce acid continuously, causing ulceration when empty
Pain from ulcers manifests as girthiness, reluctance to work, stereotypies and personality changes
Diagnoses require gastroscopy — a procedure requiring specialist equipment often not available at yard level
Omeprazole is the primary treatment but recurrence is high without management changes
Providing ad-lib forage, reducing training stress and managing diet composition significantly reduces ulcer risk

Welfare Considerations

Equine gastric ulcers represent one of the most prevalent yet underdiagnosed welfare problems in performance horses. Pain from ulceration affects daily comfort, behaviour and quality of life in a majority of horses in training. Behavioural signs are often attributed to "attitude" rather than recognised as pain indicators. Management changes that allow continuous access to forage and reduce stress are both effective prevention and essential alongside any medical treatment. Without addressing management, medical treatment alone rarely produces lasting improvement.

What You Can Do

Provide ad-lib hay or pasture access rather than restricted feeding schedules
Discuss gastroscopy with your vet if your horse shows behavioural changes suggesting discomfort
Reduce training intensity during periods of environmental stress and competition
Provide a small forage feed before exercise to buffer gastric acid
Implement evidence-based management protocols to prevent ulcer recurrence after treatment