Horse Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Prevalence and Management

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is extremely common in sport and leisure horses, causing chronic pain that impairs performance, behaviour, and wellbeing in ways that are frequently unrecognized.

Key Facts

Prevalence studies using endoscopy find EGUS in 60-90% of racehorses and 40-60% of pleasure horses examined.
The equine stomach produces acid continuously, unlike humans, making it vulnerable during periods without food.
Clinical signs are non-specific and include poor performance, behavioural changes, reluctance to girth up, and poor appetite.
Management includes omeprazole treatment combined with dietary modification to provide continuous forage access.
High starch diets, intermittent feeding, and intensive exercise are primary risk factors that management can address.

Welfare Considerations

The extraordinary prevalence of gastric ulcers in domestic horses represents a chronic pain epidemic that is substantially driven by management practices incompatible with equine digestive physiology. Horses evolved to graze for 16-20 hours daily; stabling, twice-daily feeding, and high-concentrate performance diets create conditions for ongoing acid damage. Prevention through dietary management is more effective and cheaper than repeated treatment cycles.

What You Can Do

Provide forage ad libitum or at minimum at 2-hour intervals to prevent periods of acid damage to an empty stomach.
Minimize stabling and maximize turnout time to reduce stress-related ulcer risk.
Consult your vet if your horse shows any signs of EGUS — endoscopy provides definitive diagnosis.
Review your horse's diet with an equine nutritionist to reduce high-starch feeds and optimize fibre intake.