Equine Welfare

Horse Gastric Ulcer Prevention

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is extremely prevalent, affecting up to 90% of racehorses, and prevention through management changes is more sustainable than repeated treatment.

Key Facts

Two types of gastric ulcers affect horses: squamous ulcers (ESGUS) and glandular ulcers (EGGUS) have different causes
ESGUS is strongly associated with intermittent feeding - the stomach produces acid continuously
Continuous forage access is the most effective prevention for squamous ulcers
High-intensity exercise on an empty stomach allows acid splash onto the sensitive squamous mucosa
Stress, NSAIDs, high starch diets, and limited forage access all increase ulcer risk

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers cause chronic, low-grade abdominal discomfort that affects horse behavior, performance, and quality of life. The prevalence in sport horses reflects management practices that prioritize performance over biology - horses evolved to graze continuously, not receive large grain meals twice daily. Prevention through ad libitum hay access and reduced grain feeding is both effective and economical compared to repeated omeprazole treatment.

What You Can Do

Provide continuous forage access to horses - never let them be without hay for more than 4 hours
Feed forage before exercise to create a mat that limits acid splash
If using NSAIDs long-term, discuss concurrent gastric protection with your vet
Have horses scoped if behavioral changes or poor performance suggest ulcers
Work with an equine nutritionist to reduce grain feeding where possible