Horse Gastric Ulcer Welfare Management

Comprehensive welfare management of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), covering prevalence in sport horses, dietary causes, medical treatment, and prevention through management changes.

Key Facts

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome affects 40-90% of sport horses depending on discipline and management practices
The equine stomach produces hydrochloric acid continuously, making horses highly susceptible to ulceration without constant forage
Racing thoroughbreds and sport horses in intense training have the highest ulcer prevalence rates
Omeprazole is the gold standard treatment for glandular and squamous ulcers, with treatment periods of 28+ days
Management changes including increased forage access, reduced starch intake, and turnout significantly reduce ulcer risk
Stress from transport, competition, and social disruption contributes to ulcer development alongside dietary factors
Horses with untreated gastric ulcers show measurable behavioral changes including reluctance to work and girthiness

Welfare Considerations

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome represents one of the most prevalent welfare problems in sport horse populations, frequently under-recognized because behavioral signs are subtle and attributed to training or temperament issues rather than pain. A horse with significant ulceration experiences persistent gastric discomfort that affects their entire life experience — reduced appetite, sensitivity to girthing, reluctance to work, and the general malaise of chronic pain. The irony is that the management practices associated with high performance — intensive training, restricted forage, frequent transport, and competition stress — are precisely the risk factors for ulcer development. Prevention and treatment both require willingness to modify training and management approaches to prioritize gut health alongside performance goals.

What You Can Do

Provide horses with continuous access to forage (hay or pasture) to buffer stomach acid and reduce ulcer risk
Reduce meal sizes and transition to frequent small feeds of low-starch forage-based diets
Have horses showing subtle behavioral changes scoped for gastric ulcers before attributing problems to training issues
Work with your veterinarian on appropriate omeprazole treatment protocols for confirmed ulcer cases
Manage competition and transport stress through appropriate preparation, recovery time, and forage provision
Monitor horses returning from ulcer treatment for recurrence indicators and maintain preventive management long-term