Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome and Welfare

Gastric ulcers affect the majority of performance horses and many leisure horses, causing chronic pain that significantly impairs welfare and performance.

Key Facts

EGUS affects up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of performance horses in some studies
Horses evolved to graze continuously — periods without forage allow gastric acid to cause ulceration
Stress from training, transport, competition, and social instability are major risk factors
Effective treatment with omeprazole exists but requires correct diagnosis via endoscopy
Prevention through forage management, reduced stress, and turnout is more welfare-positive than treatment alone

Welfare Considerations

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome causes chronic abdominal pain that manifests as reduced performance, poor body condition, behavioral changes, and sometimes colic. The high prevalence in performance horses reflects management systems optimized for convenience rather than equine physiological needs — limited forage access, training stress, and restricted movement all increase ulcer risk. Prevention through ad-lib forage, turnout, reduced transport stress, and stable social groups is both more effective and more welfare-positive than repeated treatment cycles.

What You Can Do

Provide ad-lib forage access to reduce gastric acid exposure between meals
Maximize turnout time to reduce stabling stress and support normal foraging behavior
Minimize unnecessary transport and competition stress for horses in your care
Consult a vet if your horse shows performance loss, poor condition, or behavioral changes
Advocate for equine welfare standards that include forage management requirements