Horse Gastric Ulcer Welfare and Diet

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome affects a very high proportion of performance horses, causing chronic pain that significantly affects welfare and often goes unrecognised.

Key Facts

Studies suggest up to 60-90% of performance horses have some degree of gastric ulceration
Horses evolved to graze continuously, producing acid buffering saliva constantly
Modern management with restricted hay, high concentrate feeds and intermittent feeding causes acid accumulation
EGUS signs include poor performance, changed behaviour, sensitivity to girthing and reduced appetite
Diagnosis requires gastroscopy; omeprazole is the primary pharmaceutical treatment
Management changes including ad lib forage access and reduced concentrate feeding are equally important

Welfare Considerations

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome causes chronic abdominal pain that is frequently unrecognised because horses are stoic prey animals. The welfare burden is substantial - a horse with significant ulceration is in daily pain that affects its quality of life, mood and willingness to work. Management practices common in performance equestrian sport - restricted forage, high starch diets, irregular feeding schedules and stress from training and competition - are directly causative. Addressing EGUS requires management change alongside pharmaceutical treatment. Many horses benefit dramatically from ad libitum hay provision and reduced concentrate feeding.

What You Can Do

Provide ad libitum hay or forage access as the default feeding strategy for all horses
Reduce concentrate feeding to the minimum required to support work level
Recognise behavioural changes including grumpiness, sensitivity to girthing and reduced appetite as potential ulcer signs
Request gastroscopy if you suspect EGUS - omeprazole treatment improves welfare significantly
Reduce training and competition stressors where possible in horses with confirmed EGUS