Stomach ulcers in horses are quite common. As many as about half of the horses have a stomach ulcer. In racehorses, as many as 90% suffer from this painful condition. The symptoms are not always very clear, which means the diagnosis is sometimes not made until late. Stomach ulcers can largely be prevented through good nutrition and management. Pharmacy4pets helps you understand the development of stomach ulcers, enabling you to do everything possible to prevent a stomach ulcer in your horse.
The horse's stomach and the development of stomach ulcers
Compared to other animal species, the horse's stomach is very small. Naturally, horses eat small amounts throughout the day, so a large stomach is not necessary. In the dietary management of horses, this process should be mimicked, but in practice, many horses are fed a large portion of feed a few times a day. This means the stomach is also empty for a large part of the day, and then stomach ulcers can develop.
The horse's stomach acid production continues even when there is no food in the stomach. Because the horse does not chew, no saliva enters the stomach. Saliva neutralizes stomach acid, just like food. If this does not happen sufficiently, the stomach acid can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach wall and a wound, called a stomach ulcer, can develop. This wound will heal poorly and can even become larger and deeper due to the continuous action of stomach acid.
A stomach ulcer is painful and can even cause anemia. The severity depends on the number of stomach ulcers and their size and depth. In some cases, a stomach ulcer, if it breaks through and thus creates a hole in the stomach wall, can be fatal.
Symptoms of stomach ulcers in horses
When endoscopy, looking with a small camera in the stomach, was not widely used, the prevalence of stomach ulcers was seriously underestimated. The symptoms are not always very clear and certainly not specific. The main symptoms of a stomach ulcer in a horse are:
- Less appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Poorer performance.
- Yawning.
- Teeth grinding.
- Mild colic symptoms.
- A poor coat.
- Diarrhea.
Without an endoscopy, it is therefore very difficult to make a diagnosis, especially with vaguer symptoms. By the time a horse shows clear symptoms, the stomach ulcers are often very extensive and therefore harder to treat. It is therefore wise not to wait too long to have your horse checked by a veterinarian, even with vague symptoms. They can assess whether an endoscopy is advisable.
Causes of a stomach ulcer in a horse
Certain factors increase the risk of a stomach ulcer in horses:
- Irregular food intake: horses naturally graze all day long. Feeding only a few larger portions per day, fasting/not eating, little grazing, or less roughage than usual can quickly (hours to days) lead to the development of a stomach ulcer.
- Little roughage: especially when chewing on feed that contains a lot of crude fiber (roughage), a lot of saliva is produced that neutralizes stomach acid. Too little hay, grass, lucerne, straw, or silage results in less saliva production and thus increases the chance of a stomach ulcer.
- Limited water intake: if a horse has no access to fresh drinking water for several hours a day (for example, during frost or if there is no drinking trough in the paddock), this increases the risk of developing a stomach ulcer.
- Intensive training: if a horse has to work many hours a day, it will not eat for several hours.
- Stress: under stress, less blood flows to the stomach wall, making it more sensitive to the action of stomach acid. Stress can be caused by illness, pain, change of environment, boredom, surgeries, too intensive training, or transport.
- Medication: anti-inflammatories and painkillers can cause stomach ulcers, especially if given long-term or in (too) high doses.
Treatment and prevention of a stomach ulcer in a horse
The treatment of a horse with stomach ulcers consists of medication, adjusting the diet, and limiting stress in the horse. The latter two factors are very important in preventing (repeated) formation of stomach ulcers.
Medication and supplements for stomach ulcers
The main medications for stomach ulcers are acid blockers, which, as the name suggests, reduce the production of stomach acid. In addition, a stomach protector is often recommended. This medication lays a layer over the mucous membrane of the stomach, making it harder for the stomach acid to reach the mucous membrane.
Dietary supplements with a pectin-lecithin complex, such as Equitop Pronutrin, protect the gastric mucosa and can be a useful addition to the medication.
The effectiveness of the treatment should be monitored with a gastroscopy. Symptoms often disappear before the stomach ulcer is completely healed, and it is very important to continue the treatment long enough.
Dietary management to prevent stomach ulcers
By mimicking the natural feeding pattern of the horse as much as possible, a lot of trouble can be prevented. The horse is naturally a grazer and thus eats small amounts throughout the day.
- Ensure sufficient roughage, preferably all day long, but at least three portions per day.
- Feed as little concentrated feed as possible and divide this into several portions per day.
- Ensure constant access to fresh drinking water
- Let a horse go without food for a maximum of a few hours, even during training, transport, or an outing.
Stress management in horses
Stress is an important factor in the development of stomach ulcers in horses, so it is important to ensure as little stress for the horse as possible.
- Adjusting training: if a horse has (had) a stomach ulcer, it is wise to reduce the intensity of the training. Too intensive training is an important stress factor. Riding with a healing stomach ulcer is possible, but take it easy and follow your veterinarian's advice.
- Gradual changes: implement changes in training, diet, and environment gradually.
- Supplements: during a stressful period, Equitop Pronutrin can help protect your horse's gastric mucosa. Calming supplements such as Sectolin Nervo or Phytonics Strezz can support your horse during changes or stressful periods.
By understanding the causes of the development of stomach ulcers and making adjustments in dietary and stress management, you can help prevent stomach ulcers in your horse.
If you have a question about our products or about stomach ulcers in horses, please contact us.