What Is The Recommended Diet For Horses With Ulcers?

Many horses suffer from Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EGUS). This is a very common and very serious condition that affects about half of all foals and leisure horses, approximately 65% of performance horses and a whopping 93% of racehorses. This condition develops due to injury (caused by acid) to the upper gastrointestinal tract and the stomach.

It can be difficult to know what to feed a horse with ulcers. Even though this problem has existed for a very long time, we are still somewhat in the dark as to how to approach it. In the past, it was extremely hard to arrive at a solid diagnosis. Today, thanks to endoscopy, identifying and diagnosing this problem is much easier.

Before we go into more details about what is the recommended diet for horses with ulcers, let’s start with how gastric ulcers develop.

How Do Gastric Ulcers In Horses Develop?

gastric ulcers In horses

There are quite a few contributing factors when it come to the development of EGUS. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the natural evolution of the horse.

Horses are grazing animals and are meant to nibble constantly. For this reason, they produce stomach acid at a steady rate to aid in digestion.

Under ideal conditions, stomach acidity is buffered by the naturally alkaline saliva that is produced when horses chew and swallow.

A horse’s natural diet of grass is also quite alkaline. Furthermore, the fiber provided by natural grass helps pad the stomach and protects the stomach lining from acidity.

Domesticated horses often do not have the opportunity to graze continuously. They are frequently kept in stables or on lots without forage for extended periods of time.

Furthermore, very often horses are fed a grain rich diet without ample grass or hay. Grain is far more acidic than natural forage. All these circumstances conspire to set up a situation that is just right for the development of ulcers.

The risk factors that may increase your horse’s chances of suffering from gastric ulcers include:

  • Inappropriate management
  • Intermittent feeding
  • Chronic illness
  • Intense exercise
  • High-grain diet
  • Stress

Just as with humans, stress and pressure can also contribute to the development of ulcers in horses. This is why racehorses and performance horses are affected at much higher rates than leisure horses.

In addition to pressure, high intensity work also sets up physical circumstances that may cause ulcers. One theory is that very intense exercise causes stomach acids to splash into the upper (non-glandular) areas of the stomach.

How Can You Tell If A Horse Has Stomach Ulcers?

can you tell if a horse has stomach ulcers

Signs can be very vague. If you ignore initial, subtle signs you may soon see an increase in symptoms. This can happen as the intensity of training or workload increase.

In racehorses, pushing for more speed can exacerbate the development of ulcers. It is especially important to watch foals for signs of ulcers because they are quite subtle, can progress very quickly and have devastating effects. Stay in close contact with your vet when raising a foal.

A horse suffering from EGUS may exhibit all or some of these symptoms:

  • Acute and recurrent colic
  • Poor body condition
  • Changes in attitude
  • Poor performance
  • Poor appetite
  • Bloated girth
  • Weight loss
  • Dull coat

These are all signs of a problem, but only your vet can definitively diagnose EGUS. This is why it is very important to observe your horse closely.

Whenever you feel that your horse is “off-form” be on the alert. This could be a sign of ulcers and an indication to you that you should have your vet come out and perform an endoscopy.

How Should You Feed A Horse With Ulcers?

how should you feed a horse with ulcers

If your horse has been diagnosed with EGUS, work closely with your vet to devise a proper feeding and care regimen.

Proper management will help prevent ulcers developing or recurring. In general, you should follow these guidelines.

  1. Feed a high fiber diet. Your horse should have as much access to good quality grazing and hay as possible. He should receive about 1.5% of his body weight in forage daily and should not be left without forage for extended periods of time. Use a hay net to provide constant access to good quality hay. Provide turnout as frequently as possible.
  2. Use feeds that are specially developed and approved for consumption by horses with gastric ulcers. Good quality ulster supplements and feed containing low levels of sugar and starch with calories added via oil are best.
  3. Feed frequently. Multiple small meals daily are easier to digest and are less likely to contribute to ulcers and other digestive difficulties. Small meals should include chopped fiber, such as alfalfa or beet pulp to help buffer stomach acids.
  4. Remember that your horse’s stomach lining is sensitive. Don’t feed very coarse, sharp, stalky hay. Very rough textures will surely hurt your horse’s sensitive stomach. Look for second-cutting hay and provide soaked beet pulp for added fiber in the diet.
  5. Feed a small snack half an hour before exercise to help prevent stomach acid splashing up during rides and training.

What is the recommended diet for horses with ulcers?

Horses with ulcers should have a diet that consists mostly of high quality fiber (grass hay and alfalfa). The diet should be low in starches and sugars. Feed a low starch formula feed in several small meals daily. This will help avoid gastric overload and excessive acid production.

Free access to fresh, clean water is especially important for horses with ulcers.

Good Management Prevents & Resolves EGUS

When you keep good quality forage in front of your horse at all times, provide plenty of good, clean water and provide your horse with a calm, secure, reliable environment you are far less likely to experience problems with equine ulcers.

If your horse does show the classic signs of EGUS as described above, reduce activity, give him a break and contact your vet right away.

How And What To Feed Horse With Ulcers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I give my horse for stomach ulcers?

If your horse is diagnosed with ulcers, your veterinarian will probably prescribe the use of Omeprazole as treatment. Some vets recommend the use of a combination of apple pectin and lecithin; however, you should consult your vet before using any remedy for ulcers in horses.

2. How do you treat ulcers in horses naturally?

The best way to treat ulcers in horses naturally is to avoid ulcers altogether. Ulcers are typically caused by a diet that is low in fiber and high in sugar and starch. Additionally, a feeding schedule that provides one or two big meals a day with lots of empty-stomach time can cause a buildup of acids and the development of ulcers.

Feed your horse as if he were running free. He needs lots of good grass and hay, fresh, clean water and a good salt/mineral block. In many cases, that may be all the horse needs to stay healthy.

When feed is added, choose a formula that is low in sugar and starch. Avoid “hot” grains, such as corn and barley. Don’t feed sweet feed, or anything else containing molasses.

If it is difficult for you to get enough fiber into your horse’s diet, you can add soaked beet pulp, which can supply up to 50% of your horse’s fiber needs.

Use a hay net to keep hay available to your horse at all times. This is a healthy way to provide hay because it helps keep your horse occupied, and it slows consumption and makes eating hay more like grazing. Be sure to hang the net at shoulder level so that the horse can eat easily but does not risk having his or her hooves become entangled.

3. How much alfalfa do you feed a horse with ulcers?

Feeding alfalfa hay can be tricky because, even though the calcium it contains does help buffer stomach acid, it can contribute to risk of laminitis in some equines. For this reason, it may be safer to feed alfalfa pellets, which have been processed, rather than feeding raw alfalfa hay.

Generally speaking, pellets do not provide as long-lasting acid buffering effects as raw hay, but the pellets are easier to measure and more convenient to feed, and you don’t need to worry much about them being too “hot” for your horse to handle.

Follow package instructions to add the right amount of alfalfa pellets to your horse’s meals daily.

4. What should you not feed a horse with ulcers?

Avoid sweet feed and other feeds with very high cereal content. You want to keep the starch and sugar content of your horse’s feed low to help prevent acid buildup in the stomach.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Horses & Foals

6022 S Drexel Ave
Chicago, IL 60637

Amazon Disclaimer

Horses & Foals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Disclaimer

Horses & Foals do not intend to provide veterinary advice. We try to help users better understand their horses; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. For more information, please read our PRIVACY POLICY.