Supporting Ulcer-Prone Horses: 10 Things Every Owner Should Know

If you’ve ever had a horse that went off his feed, got girthy or just didn’t seem like himself, someone at the barn has probably asked you, “Have you looked into ulcers?” It’s one of the most common conversations in the horse world.

I’m not a vet, and this isn’t a diagnosis or a treatment plan. It’s what I’ve learned over the years about supporting horses that seem prone to stomach trouble, and the questions worth bringing to your veterinarian.

10 things every owner should know

1. Ulcers are more common than most people think. Research has found gastric ulcers in a large share of horses, and the numbers are highest in performance horses and racehorses.
2. Stress plays a big role. Hauling, showing, stall rest, a new barn or a change in the herd can all be hard on a horse’s gut.
3. An empty stomach is tough on a horse. Horses make stomach acid all day long, so long gaps without forage can be hard on sensitive horses. Small, frequent meals and steady access to hay keep something in the stomach.
4. What’s in the bucket matters. Diets heavy in grain and sugar are linked to more stomach trouble. Many owners of ulcer-prone horses build the diet around forage first and talk with their vet or an equine nutritionist about the rest.
5. The signs can be subtle. Picky eating, weight loss, a dull coat, girthiness or a change in attitude can all have a lot of different causes. That’s exactly why it’s worth having your vet take a look instead of guessing.
6. Only your vet can diagnose ulcers. That usually means a gastroscopy, where a small camera is used to look inside the stomach. If your vet does find ulcers, they’ll walk you through the treatment options.
7. Support is about the whole routine. Turnout, friends, consistent feeding times and keeping stress low are things every owner can work on, right alongside whatever their vet recommends.
8. The hindgut matters too. Trouble isn’t always in the stomach. The hindgut is a separate part of the digestive system, and your vet can help figure out where the problem actually is.
9. Movement and turnout help. Regular exercise and time outside with other horses can do a lot for a horse’s stress level and overall well-being.
10. Paying attention early makes a difference. You know your horse better than anyone. Noticing small changes and bringing your vet in early is one of the best things you can do for an ulcer-prone horse.

I share this because so many horses quietly struggle with their stomachs, and the more we pay attention, the sooner they get the help they need. If you have a horse who’s been through this, I’d love to hear what has helped. And as always, work with your vet on anything health related.

Sources

• American Association of Equine Practitioners: Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
• Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine: ECEIM consensus statement on equine gastric ulcer syndrome
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Gastric Ulcers in Horses
• The Horse: Gastric Ulcers in Horses
• World Horse Welfare: Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome