Horse Gastric Ulcer Treatment Advanced: Omeprazole and Beyond

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is widespread in sport and leisure horses. Advanced treatment and management protocols offer relief from this painful condition.

Key Facts

Gastric ulcers affect up to 90% of racehorses and 50-60% of sport horses
Omeprazole is the only licensed treatment with proven efficacy
Squamous and glandular ulcers require different treatment approaches
Dietary management with frequent forage access is central to prevention and treatment
Stress from training, competition and social isolation drives ulcer development
Recurrence is common if management practices are not addressed alongside treatment

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers cause chronic pain that affects behaviour, performance and quality of life in horses. The condition is often dismissed as a behavioural or training problem rather than a welfare issue requiring medical attention. Effective treatment with omeprazole combined with management changes including reduced stabling, increased forage access and reduced training intensity can resolve ulcers and restore welfare. Addressing management causes is essential to prevent rapid recurrence.

What You Can Do

Have horses showing girth sensitivity, poor performance or reluctance scoped for ulcers
Provide horses with ad libitum forage access to reduce ulcer development risk
Support research into effective treatments for glandular gastric ulcer syndrome
Advocate for stable management practices that reduce ulcer risk