Horse Endoscopy and Welfare Considerations

Endoscopic procedures in horses — used to diagnose respiratory, gastric, and urinary conditions — require careful sedation and aftercare protocols to minimise welfare impacts.

Key Facts

Equine endoscopy is commonly used to diagnose conditions including upper airway dysfunction, gastric ulcers, and bladder disease.
Gastroscopy requires 12-16 hours of feed withholding to allow clear visualisation of the stomach.
Dynamic endoscopy during exercise on a treadmill allows assessment of airway problems that only occur at high speeds.
Horses may experience significant discomfort during nasal passage of the endoscope without appropriate sedation.
Gastric ulcers are identified in over 90% of racehorses and 60% of leisure horses scoped, reflecting widespread welfare concern.

Welfare Considerations

The prevalence of gastric ulcer disease — discovered through endoscopy — has transformed our understanding of horse welfare. Horses evolved to graze continuously, maintaining gastric acid neutralisation through saliva. Stabling, high-concentrate diets, and transport expose horses to prolonged acid damage. Endoscopy as a diagnostic tool is welfare-positive overall, enabling treatment of painful conditions, but procedures must use appropriate sedation and minimal restraint.

What You Can Do

Ensure your horse has access to forage for most of the day to prevent gastric acid build-up.
Discuss with your vet whether endoscopy is appropriate if your horse shows signs of discomfort around feeding.
Support training of equine veterinarians in low-stress endoscopy techniques.
Advocate for regular gastric health assessment in competition horses as a welfare standard.