Evidence-based approaches to preventing and treating equine gastric ulcer syndrome in performance horses.
Gastric ulcers represent one of the most prevalent welfare problems in performance horses, yet they are frequently underdiagnosed because behavioral signs — subtle performance reluctance, cinchiness, poor appetite — are often attributed to other causes. Confirmation requires gastroscopy, which is increasingly accessible but still underused in routine performance horse management. The welfare impact of gastric ulcers is significant and chronic: ongoing acid discomfort affects behavior, training responsiveness, and quality of life. Prevention through appropriate feeding — particularly ad-lib hay access and avoiding exercise on empty stomachs — is more effective and economically preferable to treating established ulcers. Horses who receive appropriate management have dramatically lower ulcer prevalence.