Horse Gastric Ulcer Prevention and Management

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is one of the most prevalent and preventable welfare conditions affecting domestic horses.

Key Facts

Prevalence of gastric ulcers in performance horses ranges from 40-90% depending on discipline and management
Even pleasure horses in stall management show ulcer prevalence of 50-60% in some studies
The equine stomach produces acid continuously — long periods without forage allow acid accumulation
Stall confinement with infrequent feeding is the primary management risk factor for ulcer development
NSAIDs including phenylbutazone can worsen gastric ulcers when used long-term without gastroprotection
Omeprazole is the gold standard treatment and must be given at appropriate doses for adequate duration
Clinical signs include reluctance to work, poor performance, behavioral changes, and weight loss

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers in horses represent a preventable welfare problem largely created by management practices that ignore equine digestive physiology. Horses evolved as continuous grazers with near-constant forage intake — modern management imposing twice-daily feeding schedules leaves stomachs without buffering forage for extended periods. Prevention through ad libitum hay access, maximizing turnout time, and stress reduction is more welfare-effective and economically efficient than treatment. Horses experiencing ulcers live with chronic gastric discomfort that affects every aspect of their experience. Recognition that behavioral changes and poor performance may signal ulcer pain should prompt veterinary evaluation rather than increased training pressure.

What You Can Do

Provide ad libitum hay or forage access to prevent prolonged gastric acid accumulation
Minimize stall confinement and maximize turnout time for horses
Schedule a veterinary evaluation if your horse shows behavioral changes or performance decline
Use NSAID pain relievers only as directed and discuss gastroprotection with your veterinarian
Support research into cost-effective gastric ulcer prevention strategies for performance horses