Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is extremely prevalent in performance horses and causes significant pain. Understanding contributing factors enables effective prevention alongside medical treatment.
Gastric ulcer pain in horses is chronic, often subtle in expression but significant in impact. Affected horses may show poor performance, weight loss, behavioral changes including girthiness and reluctance to work, or teeth grinding. Because ulcers are internal and horses mask discomfort, many horses are worked through pain that should prompt veterinary investigation. Successful prevention involves addressing the root cause — feeding management that maintains continuous forage access and reduces acid pooling — alongside treating active ulcers. Horses who cannot graze naturally and are managed with infrequent large concentrate meals are at highest risk.