Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) frequently referred to as gastric ulcers in horses is a common problem among domesticated horses. It is particularly prevalent in racehorses and competition horses, although they can be suffered by horses of all ages and types.

In this blog we discuss the nature of ulcers, what they mean for your horse and how you can help combat them.

Gastric Ulcers – the basics

As a non-ruminant herbivore, horses have evolved to ingest a high-fibre, low starch diet through daily foraging of up to 18 hours. Horses are trickle feeders, who chew all day long, with a continuous flow of forage passing through the stomach and into the rest of the digestive tract. Therefore, unlike humans who’s stomach produces acid only when we eat, your horse’s stomach produces acid constantly even when the stomach is empty.  The constant flow of forage through the stomach acts as a physical barrier to acid within the stomach and chewing it produces saliva.

However, the domesticated horse often has a diet and management routine where they are unable to employ these natural defences. More intensive management regimes, including reduced forage, alongside the stress associated with restricted turnout, isolation, travelling, unfamiliar surroundings and training can all increase the potential for gastric dysfunction.

How do Ulcers occur?

Within Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), there are 2 main classifications of ulcers, relating to the part of the stomach they affect. Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (EGSD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD). Your horse’s stomach has two main sections, the upper or squamous region and the lower or glandular region.

Stomach acid is produced and collects within the glandular region where mucus is secreted forming a protective layer to prevent the acid from damaging the lining. The squamous section in contrast, has none of this protective mucus, meaning there is no protection against stomach acid and can easily become damaged when exposed to acid.

Equine Squamous Gastric Disease is mainly linked to nutritional factors including fasting, inadequate dietary forage, high starch diets and exercise.  High starch diets can cause increased acidity within the stomach as they are digested, thus increasing the risk of ulcers. When horses do not receive enough forage or are fasted before exercise, acid is still produced and builds up.  When the horse then starts to exercise the contraction of their stomach can allow acid from the lower glandular region to splash up into the squamous region – resulting in acid injury and potential ulcers.

Equine Glandular Gastric Disease is not fully understood, but it is thought that ulcers affecting this region are less likely to be influenced by nutrition, the main risk factor being stress. Stress potentially effects mucus production within the glandular region, resulting in a breakdown of defences and increased potential for ulcer formation.

Signs of Ulcers

The main signs your horse might have ulcers, can be subtle, but often include:

• Poor appetite 
• Dullness
• A change in behaviour
• Reduced performance
• Reluctance to train
• Poor body condition
• Poor hair coat
• Weight loss
• Abdominal discomfort (expressed as ‘girthy’ behaviour or lying down more frequently)
• Low-grade colic
• Loose droppings
• Crib biting

If you suspect your horse has ulcers, or they are showing any number of the symptoms above, its best to seek veterinary advice. The only way to conclusively diagnose ulcers is through gastroscopy, which involves putting an endoscope into the stomach and looking at its surface. This will help pinpoint where the ulcers are, which then helps with adapting treatment and management as these vary with the type of ulcers found.

Treatment and Management of Ulcers

Ulcers can be treated relatively easily, with traditional treatment usually focussed on inhibiting acid production, giving the ulcers time to heal.  EGSD can respond well to this treatment, but it is less effective for EGGD.  However, a treatment-based approach, where the horse is maintained on daily long term medication is not ideal.  A preventative approach involving good management and nutrition to reduce the chance of ulcers is always a better option.

Taking steps to reduce stress within your horse’s life and environment is great for ulcer management and prevention. If your horse gets stressed being stabled, aim for 24/7 turnout or as much as is possible to reduce stress. If your horse competes and is in training, ensure you make the whole process of this, including travelling, as stress free as possible and reduce the potential for ulcers.

Nutritional Management

Careful management is essential to help reduce the risk and managing EGUS

• Horses should be fed a forage-based, ideally 2% of your horse’s bodyweight as forage as no less than 1.5%.
• Forage quality is essential – not only will this reduce reliance on concentrate feeds, but it will also better promote natural acid defences.
• Horses in little or no work, or good doers should be fed a forage based diet alongside a good balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement to provide essential micronutrients
• Starch should be kept to a minimum ideally no more than 2g/kg bodyweight (BW) per day
• For horses in higher levels of work, look for feeds that provide calories from good sources of fibre and oil rather than cereals.
• Forage should always be fed ad-lib wherever possible, so your horse always has a constant supply.
• Always provide chaff with meals to encourage chewing and saliva production
• Keep meals small and frequent
• Provide as much pasture turnout as possible – research has shown this can reduce the risk of ulcers
• A fibre-based feed or forage prior to exercise, helps form a fibrous matt in the glandular region of the stomach which sits on top of the acid and helps prevent it splashing upwards.
• Omega 3 fatty acids can be beneficial due to their anti-inflammatory properties – Linseed meal contains good levels of omega 3 fatty acids along with a soluble fibre called mucilage which may have a protective effect on the stomach lining.
• Supplemental pectin and lecithin complexes may provide benefit through an increase in mucus production.
• Ensure your horse has access to clean fresh water which can help dilute stomach acid – adding daily salt to your horses feed can help encourage drinking for optimum water intake.

How Coligone can help

If your horse currently has or is prone to ulcers, Coligone has a range of products that can help with nutritional management and prevention.

Coligone Powder or Liquid is ideal for gastric stress and irritation – containing a unique seaweed buffer and bicarbonate, it helps neutralise acid and support healthy acid levels throughout the stomach and digestive tract which is essential for ulcer prevention.

Coligone High Fibre cubes – have a high fibre, low starch and sugar formulation that makes them an excellent ulcer friendly feed which supports work and condition, whilst helping to maintain normal acid levels.  Coligone high fibre cubes are a great way to increase the fibre content of your horse’s diet and can also be fed sprinkled through hay or in a treat ball to stimulate natural foraging behaviours.

Gastric ulcers are one of the most well-recognised conditions of the equine gut – by understanding ulcers and how you can help prevent and reduce the risk with the right diet and management, you can help keep your horse happy, healthy and performing well.

If you have any questions about creating the best diet for your horse and keeping your horse healthy through the right nutrition, please get in touch – sales@hbradshaws.co.uk.