Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome: Welfare in Performance Horses

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is endemic in performance horses, causing chronic pain and significantly compromising welfare and performance.

Key Facts

Prevalence of gastric ulcers in racehorses exceeds 90% in some studies
Horses are continuous grazers; periods without forage allow acid to damage the stomach lining
EGUS includes squamous and glandular ulceration with different risk factors
Signs include poor body condition, behavioural changes, and sometimes colic
Omeprazole is the primary treatment; management changes are essential for long-term resolution

Welfare Considerations

Gastric ulcers cause chronic abdominal discomfort that significantly impairs welfare in affected horses. The stoic nature of horses means significant ulceration can occur before overt pain signs are apparent. Behavioural indicators such as girthiness, reluctance to work, and subtle performance decline are often the first clues. Management practices fundamental to modern horse keeping — including prolonged stabling, intermittent high-concentrate feeding, and intense training schedules — are major risk factors. Addressing these husbandry factors alongside medical treatment is essential, but requires cultural change in sectors where intensive management is standard.

What You Can Do

Maximise forage access for horses; avoid prolonged periods without hay or grazing
Reduce training stress and stabling periods wherever possible
Use competition-safe acid-suppressing medication under veterinary guidance
Have horses showing poor performance or girthiness scoped for gastric ulcers