Equine

Horse Gastric Ulcer Monitoring

Gastric ulcers are among the most prevalent health problems in sport and pleasure horses. Systematic monitoring and management significantly improves welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Squamous ulcers affect 60-90% of horses in intense training; glandular ulcers affect 50-65%
Horses evolved to graze continuously; periods without forage allow acid to damage the unprotected squamous region
Clinical signs are subtle and include poor performance, altered attitude, and body condition changes
Gastroscopy is required for definitive diagnosis; empirical treatment is often used instead
Omeprazole treats squamous ulcers effectively; glandular ulcers respond better to sucralfate combinations

Welfare Considerations

Horses with gastric ulcers experience chronic discomfort that affects mood, behaviour, and performance. Many horses perform through significant ulceration without owners recognising the pain. Management changes including ad libitum forage access, reducing intermittent feeding, and adding chaff before exercise reduce acid exposure. Horses in intensive training require proactive monitoring and preventive management rather than waiting for clinical signs to appear.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have continuous access to forage to buffer gastric acid
Provide a handful of chaff before exercise to reduce acid splashing
Monitor for subtle behavioural changes that may indicate ulcer-associated discomfort
Discuss gastroscopy with your vet if training horses show performance or attitude changes
Review management practices including feeding frequency and stabling duration