Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects up to 90% of racehorses and large proportions of sport horses. Modern management and lifestyle changes dramatically reduce prevalence and welfare impact.
EGUS is a welfare problem created by management systems that conflict with equine digestive physiology. Horses stabled for extended periods without ad libitum forage, fed twice-daily grain-heavy rations, and subjected to the stresses of competition and transport develop ulcers because their management is incompatible with their evolved biology. Treatment without management change produces temporary improvement followed by relapse. The welfare-positive approach is to align management with equine physiology: maximise forage access, minimise fasting periods, reduce stress, and use acid-suppressing medication only as adjunct to lifestyle management rather than as sole treatment.