Gastric ulcers occur in up to 90 percent of performance horses. The primary cause is the stomach’s exposure to excessive acid levels or a reduction in the natural protection of the stomach’s lining, or both. Most equine ulcers occur in the upper portion of the stomach near the esophagus—where feed enters the stomach. These cells in the stomach are usually protected from excess acid only by the production of the horse’s saliva.
If saliva is produced in adequate amounts, stomach acid is buffered and the lining of the stomach can be coated and protected form the acid. In a gastric ulcer, the stomach tissue is inflamed and damaged, causing depressed appetite, irritability, colic problems, diminished performance, weight loss and chronic pain or discomfort for the horse and are sometimes a fatal disease.
The only way to know for sure if a gastric ulcer is present is through an endoscopic examination. Many horses have ulcers or the start of them with no apparent symptoms. Modern feeding techniques in part contribute to the high ulcer incidence. Horses naturally are wandering, grazing animals with a digestive tract that is well adapted for a steady, continual diet of forage. High grain diets contribute to excessive stomach acid release, and periods of fasting expose the horse to stomach acid without protective saliva. Horses typically secrete stomach acid steadily throughout the day if they are feeding or if they are not. For performance horses, diets high in grain are common, as are prolonged periods of fasting (especially before training).This combination will increase the amount of stomach acid the horse’s stomach is exposed to. During heavy training, the time without feeding and the protective benefits of saliva, along with the stress of training itself, allows for stomach acids to stay in contact with the unprotected stomach tissue for a longer period of time.
In contrast, pasture fed horses very rarely develops stomach ulcers. A steady diet of pasture allows for continuous eating to match the steady release of stomach acid and also tends to increase the production of the stomach protecting saliva. Grain fed horses produce less protective saliva, and both grain and pellet concentrated can increase stomach acid release.
There are several ways to manage an ulcer-prone horse. Putting a horse on pasture is effective but not always practical, especially during performance or heavy training seasons. Pharmaceutical products are effective in reducing stomach acid and in aiding the healing of ulcerous tissue. Usually, though, the pharmaceuticals are costly. Aluminum-based antacid absorbing formulas are also effective in reducing stomach acidity and in the healing of gastric ulcers.
In addition to the above, a number of natural non-aluminum containing products can also aid in the health of the digestive tract. Specially processed rice bran extractives can offer an anti-inflammatory benefit and buffer stomach acid. DGL, a form of licorice, has potent anti-inflammatory effects and aids in the healing of gastric tissue. Sodium-copper chlorophyllins are very soothing to the digestive tract and can increase tissue-healing parts. Plant polysaccharide complexes can be good buffering agents and can reduce the acid load. The beneficial lactobacillus bacteria and Aspergillus family helps maintain a healthy digestive tract during inflammation. Magnesium silicate can act as a buffering agent and can reduce the effects of excess stomach acid and is helpful in the digestive tract healing. Relatively few options are available to control the underlying causes of gastric ulcers in horses. Of the options available, combinations of balanced natural nutritional compounds offer a non-toxic, cost-effective approach.
