In the last few years I have become acutely aware of how common and how damaging gastric ulcers can
be. I feel like I can walk down the isle of a barn and with using only my sight and sense of smell, I can
pick out the horses that are suffering from ulcers. Even if I just guessed which horses were affected by
ulcers, I would probably be 60% correct.
Veterinarians are increasingly recognizing the presence of ulcers in the stomach. It is estimated that
more than 60% of the general horse population suffers from ulcers in varying degrees.
The symptoms of gastric ulcers can be quite vague and therefore go un-acknowledged and un-treated
for long periods of time.
Common symptoms include:
Poor appetite – esp. an intermittent poor appetite, some days the horse finishes all their food and some
days the horse doesn’t. Sometimes this problem is written off as a picky eater. Horses with ulcers
know what hurts their stomachs. I have often seen horses with ulcers pick a finer stemmed hay over a
stalky stemmed hay.
Rapid unexplained weight loss – self explanatory. Horse is eating fine, work load hasn’t changed,
weather outside is stable, but your horse is dropping weight.
Poor performance – Some horses with ulcers will have sore backs and necks. The horse may be trying
to avoid stomach discomfort by carrying themselves and their riders in an awkward way, thereby
causing them muscle pain.
Attitude – A horse with ulcers may exhibit a change in attitude after being worked or after going to a
show. They may become very anti social with people and other horses. Ears pinned, teeth bared,
threatening to kick. With rest their attitude slowly goes back to what it normally is. I see this allot with
performance horses!
Sometimes horses will become very girthy when they have ulcers, refuse to jump, refuse to bend,
refuse in generall. Any big change in attitude can be a sign.
Spookiness - Horses with ulcers tend to become highly sensitive, spooking at what they might normally
ignore.
Coat – may become dull, rough, dry, curl up slightly or even change color a bit.
Muscle tone – decreases even though the horse is getting regular exercise. Some times you will see
the back, just behind the withers, become dropped. At the same time you will notice the stomach has
dropped as well. I have seen this happen dramatically, in a short period of time.
Teeth grinding – common in foals, but mature horses in pain will sometimes do the same thing.
Cribbing - Esp. if it comes on suddenly.
Breathe – a healthy horse’s breath generally smells sweet and allot like hay. A horse with ulcers will
often have acrid smelling breath.
Poop – Horses with ulcers may have loose stools or even chronic diarrhea. I have noticed in horses
with bad ulcers there poop often smells odd too.
Colic – Intermittent unexplained bouts of colic. The horse’s stomach just hurts.
Frequent urination - I have noticed this only with the male horses.
Treating Ulcers
I have had good results with gastro guard, Ulcergard, Prilosec, sucralafate, and tagament. I have changed my
approach to treating ulcers. I used to always begun with the more holistic alternatives, but I have found that
the horse recovers far more quickly if I begin treatment with Omperozole, in the form or Gastrogaurd or
Ulcergard. Using the pharmaceuticals is the best way to get their pain under control fast.
Forage 24 hours a day is very important.
Some of the herbs I have personally found to be very helpful in treating ulcers are:
Slipper Elm Bark Powder – Its high mucilage content helps to coat & soothe the digestive tract. It also
helps to relieve inflammation & diarrhea.
Comfrey leaf – High mucilage content as well. Helps to soothe stomach lining and promote healing.
Licorice – helps reduce stomach acid and also acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Meadowsweet – same as above.
Gotu Kola - Specific for reducing inflammation in the digestive system, it can help with scarring either
internally and externally. It has been shown to be effective in healing ulcers.
Calendula - it reduces unflammation and pain associated with ulceration & gastritis.
Aloe Juice/gel - I have found to be very helpful as well. I add 1/2 a cup to a cup to the horses mash once a
day.
Dynamite Miracle clay - I use this more heavily in the beginning of treatment and then lightly after the
horses symptoms have subsided.
Oil- corn, veg. or canola. Oil added to the diet seems to help allot in the beginning of treatment. I taper off
as symptoms subside.
Pro-biotic - I like Dynapro by Dynamite. Probios is a reasonable alternative.
Of course if you think your horse has ulcers you should consult your vet. I am NOT a vet, just a horse
person who cares.
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