Preventing gastric ulcers in horses through management changes is more effective and welfare-positive than repeated treatment cycles and addresses the root causes of this endemic condition.
Gastric ulcer prevention through management is fundamentally more welfare-positive than treatment cycles that allow ulcers to develop, cause chronic pain, and then require pharmacological intervention. The management changes required for effective prevention — consistent forage access, small frequent meals, pre-exercise hay, and stress reduction — improve overall horse welfare across multiple dimensions beyond ulcer prevention. Horses with adequate forage access are behaviourally more settled, show lower rates of colic, and have better gut microbiome health. The business case for prevention is also strong — avoiding the cost of repeated endoscopy and omeprazole treatment is economically significant. Prevention-focused management represents an alignment of welfare and economic interests.