Equine

Horse Gastric Ulcer Prevention Dietary Management

Dietary management is central to equine gastric ulcer syndrome prevention, with feed composition and timing key factors.

Key Facts

Horses should have continuous access to forage to buffer gastric acid production
Starch-rich diets increase gastric acid and ulcer risk significantly
Alfalfa hay has buffering properties making it beneficial for ulcer-prone horses
Feeding before exercise reduces splashing of acid in the stomach during work

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers cause chronic pain affecting performance, behaviour, and quality of life. Dietary management preventing ulcer development is far preferable to treating established disease. Simple management changes - continuous forage access and reduced starch - protect many horses from preventable pain.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have continuous access to good quality forage
Reduce reliance on starch-rich hard feeds where possible
Feed a small forage meal before exercise in ulcer-prone horses