More serious cases will show abdominal pain (colic) and/or grinding of the teeth. The majority of horses with gastric ulcers do not show outward clinical signs and can appear completely healthy. What are the clinical signs of gastric ulcers? Lastly, chronic administration of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone (“bute”), flunixin meglumine (banamine) or ketoprofen can decrease the production of the protective mucus layer of the stomach, making it more susceptible to ulcers. Physical and environmental stressors such as transport stress and stall confinement are additional risk factors. In addition, high-grain diets produce volatile fatty acids that can also contribute to the development of ulcers. When horses are fed two times per day, which is common in many boarding situations, the stomach is subjected to a prolonged period without feed to neutralize the acid. In a natural, high-roughage diet, the acid is buffered by both feed and saliva. In a natural grazing situation, a steady flow of acid is required for digestion, so a horse’s stomach produces acid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – up to 9 gallons of acidic fluid per day, even when not eating. As a result, horses cannot handle large amounts of food they are built to graze and eat frequent, small portions of feed for extended periods. The stomach of the horse is relatively smaller in comparison to other species. In addition, when horses exercise, the acidic fluid in the stomach splashes and exposes the upper, more vulnerable portion of the stomach to an acidic pH. Researchers have found that exercise increases gastric acid production and decreases blood flow to the GI tract. They can affect any horse at any age but occur most frequently in horses that perform athletic activities such as racing, endurance, and showing. They are common in horses, with the prevalence estimated between 50 and 90%.
Gastric, or stomach, ulcers are sores that form on the stomach lining.
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*Download a printable pdf of this article here. Preventative treatment may be a good option for performance horses that are going to be transported or stabled in a new environment.Treatment should include management modifications.Gastric ulcers in horses are common and clinical signs may be subtle.
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