Horse Gastric Ulcer Prevention Through Feeding

Feeding management is the foundation of gastric ulcer prevention in horses. Understanding the connection between feeding practices and ulcer development drives effective prevention.

Key Facts

Horses produce gastric acid continuously at approximately 1.5 liters per hour regardless of whether food is present
Saliva, produced only during chewing, buffers stomach acid — grazing horses produce 10-12 liters of saliva daily
Fasting periods of as little as 4-6 hours can cause significant acid accumulation and mucosal damage
High-concentrate diets without adequate forage create acidic stomach environments that damage the squamous mucosa
Alfalfa hay has acid-buffering properties due to its calcium and protein content — beneficial for ulcer-prone horses
Feeding hay before exercise reduces splash of acidic contents onto the squamous mucosa during work

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcer prevention through feeding management represents one of the clearest examples of how horse welfare depends on aligning management with equine physiology. The horse digestive system evolved for continuous grazing, and virtually every departure from this pattern increases ulcer risk. The solutions are well-established: ad libitum forage or at minimum forage available for at least 16 hours per day, avoiding prolonged fasting, providing hay before exercise, and limiting high-starch concentrate feeds. These recommendations are sometimes in tension with competition schedules, livery yard practices, and the practicalities of horse keeping — but the welfare case for their implementation is compelling. Horses cannot advocate for their own feeding needs; management decisions made by humans directly determine their gastric welfare.

What You Can Do

Provide horses with continuous or near-continuous forage access to minimize gastric acid accumulation
Never fast horses for more than 4-6 hours, including overnight periods in stabling
Feed a small hay ration before exercise, especially before morning training sessions
Minimize high-starch concentrate feeds and replace energy with fat and fermentable fiber where possible
Consider alfalfa hay inclusion for horses with known ulcer history or high-risk management situations
Advocate for livery yard feeding practices that prioritize forage access over convenience for yard staff