Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Welfare

Gastric ulcers affect the majority of performance horses and many leisure horses, causing pain and behaviour changes. Prevention through management and diet is as important as treatment.

Key Facts

Studies show 60-90% of racehorses and 40-60% of leisure horses have gastric ulcers
The horse digestive system produces acid continuously, requiring frequent forage intake
Prolonged periods without forage and high-grain diets increase ulcer risk dramatically
Ulcers cause behaviour changes including girthiness, reluctance to work, and poor performance
Omeprazole treatment is highly effective but diet and management changes prevent recurrence

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers cause chronic pain that significantly impairs quality of life in horses. The pain of acid contacting ulcerated mucosa explains many common behaviour problems including reluctance to work, aggression, and stereotypic behaviours. Prevention requires management matching the horses evolutionary physiology: continuous access to forage, limited high-starch concentrate feeds, and minimising time without hay or grass. Treatment without management change leads to rapid recurrence.

What You Can Do

Provide ad libitum forage access to stabled horses
Limit grain concentrates and split feeds into multiple small meals
Consult a vet for any horse showing performance changes or behavioural reluctance
Treat diagnosed ulcers with omeprazole and implement permanent management changes