This is a significant disorder which can affect performance, weight and temperament. It is probably still under-diagnosed.as the clinical signs for gastric ulcers are subtle and can be confused with other conditions. However the greater accessibility of video gastroscopy has shown that the incidence in racehorses is over 80% and in competition horses up to 70%, making it one of the most common diseases of horses.

p1040743 The signs include:

  • Poor performance
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss
  • Altered temperament – difficult to ride, bucking, refusing at jumps
  • Teeth grinding, crib biting and windsucking
  • Colic or diarrhoea
  • Back pain

 

 

Why does it happen?

The horse in its natural environment spends up to 16 hours per day feeding in a herd. The naturally acidic stomach contents are buffered by saliva produced in response to this regular eating and the glandular part of the stomach is protected by a mucous/bicarbonate protective layer with rapid cell turnover. In a stable or on poor grazing the horse spends less time eating with a lower volume of forage, so decreasing saliva production.

Treatment 

Management needs to adjust to increase the frequency of feeding and the type of forage. A 4 week course of gastrogard may be prescibed where the severity and extent of the ulcers indicates.

Prognosis

Following treatment most horses show a big improvement in performance, with better temperament, better appetite and improved condition.