Gastric Ulcers in Horses — Causes and Treatment

Gastric ulcers in horses — causes and treatment

 Just like humans, horses can develop stomach (or gastric) ulcers — usually if the horse goes for extended periods on an empty stomach, or lives in an environment he finds stressful. Here we explain how gastric ulcers occur, their symptoms, treatment and how you can help your horse if he has them. 

 There can be a range of reasons why horses develop gastric ulcers, but unfortunately, they are now a common problem. One basic difficulty is that horses are designed to graze for many hours a day, and very often they now live in an environment where there are fixed or limited feed times — so horses aren’t eating in a way that suits their digestive systems.

 Horses need to have something in their stomachs pretty much all the time. WHAT they are fed is also significant. Horses are roughage converters; their stomachs are adapted to deal with chewed hay or grass. “The more concentrated feed we give them, the greater the risk that we change the functionality of the stomach, which can lead to gastric ulcers,” says Agria vet Karl-Henrik Heimdahl.

Are stabled horses more prone to getting gastric ulcers?

Environmental factors can also play a role in gastric ulcers (or EGUS - Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome). Horses are designed to be out foraging, moving around a lot. For humans, stress is a major factor behind gastric ulcers and gastritis, and it’s also noticeable that competition horses — who live in a more stressful environment — have more problems with gastric ulcers than hobby horses. Gastric ulcers rarely occur in horses with ready access to turn out.

Equine gastric ulcer symptoms

Gastric ulcer diagnosis is not always clear cut, as the symptoms can be vague. Horses with stomach problems may become a bit grumpy, feel flatter than usual, or may appear distressed. Some horses develop loose droppings for a while, or might start cribbing.

“Sometimes horses start eating their hard feed with enthusiasm. but stop before they have finished, which may indicate that their stomach is hurting,” says Karl-Henrik Heimdahl. 

Symptoms that may indicate gastric ulcers

• Resistance to being girthed
  Moodiness
• Colic 
• Loose droppings
• Loss of condition and weight
• A lacklustre coat

How are gastric ulcers diagnosed in horses?

 The only sure way to confirm if a horse is suffering from ulcers is with a gastroscopy, by inserting a camera through the horse’s nostril into the stomach via a tube.

“This is now quite a routine examination, but the horse must first fast for 12 hours, so some preparation is required. But it is often done on horses with clear symptoms,” says Karl-Henrik Heimdahl.

The examination may show an irritated mucous stomach membrane, something akin to gastritis in humans. If ulcers have developed, they can range from small superficial sores to large ulcers in different parts of the stomach. 

How to treat gastric ulcers in horses

There are a few different drugs available to treat equine gastric ulcers, most of them containing a substance that suppresses stomach acid. This is a fairly expensive treatment, and many horses can improve their ulcers without medication, through improved feeding or turnout routines. 

How to prevent equine gastric ulcers recurring 

 To help avoid gastric ulcers, or stop them from coming back, reviewing your horse's feeding routine and stable environment is key.

 Try to adopt ‘trickle feeding’, giving forage (hay or haylage) several times a day, preferably in smaller portions, so the stomach is rarely empty. Feeding ad lib forage is even better, if the horse’s weight will allow it, and reducing the amount of hard feed. 

 Also consider your horse’s lifestyle — perhaps he isn’t coping with regular competing or training, or being transported for other reasons. Try to make his home environment as calm as possible.