Evidence-based feeding management for gastric ulcer prevention centers on hay type selection, timing, and quantity to maximize acid buffering throughout the day.
Feeding management welfare for gastric ulcer prevention is actionable and cost-effective — most interventions require no additional expense, only scheduling change. The evidence that feeding a small alfalfa meal before exercise reduces ulcer risk is sufficiently strong to constitute a welfare standard for working horses. The nocturnal feeding gap problem — horses without hay access overnight experiencing prolonged acid production — is addressable through slow feeders that extend consumption without increasing caloric intake. Horse owners who understand the physiology behind these recommendations show better long-term compliance than those who follow rules without understanding the rationale.