Gastric ulcers have a high prevalence within the performance horse industry, in fact it is believed that 80-90% of race horses suffer from gastric ulcers and up to 60% of horses involved in eventing, showing and Western competition are also affected.
Symptoms:
- Fussy eating or loss of appetite,
- Weight loss or poor conditions,
- Rough coat,
- Frequent low grade colic symptoms,
- Decrease in performance,
- Teeth grinding.
Causes:
There does not appear to be one single underlying cause for gastric ulcers, instead it is a issue of multiple factors (Davies, 2009). The majority of gastric ulcers occur within the upper portion of the stomach where the stomach lining offers little protection against the stomach acids produced further down the digestive system (Huntington, Myers & Owens, 2004). The horse digestive system is a delicate system relying on a precise balance of all portions. This delicate system appears to be easily affected by feed, feed routine, exercise and stress (Huntington, Myers & Owens, 2004). Foals develop ulcers when the mother's milk can't neutralise the foals stomach acid (Huntington, Myers & Owens, 2004) and the acid build up can cause serious disease or even death. Recently more research has produced the thought that volatile fatty acids may be a cause of ulcers, the VFA are produced by microbial fermentation of cereal starch and other soluble carbohydrates (Davies, 2009). Cereal feeds may also increase the release of gastric acid through production of the hormone gastrin (Davies, 2009). It is thought that saliva acts as a natural buffer against gastric acid and this thought is linked with horses who are able to forage for longer periods of the day, producing more saliva have a reduced amount of ulcers (Davies, 2009 & Huntington, Myers & Owens, 2004).
Stress and exercise have been linked to a higher incidence of gastric ulcers however the recent research has not provided evidence that distinguishes between stress and exercise. Being that exercise such as running a horse on a treadmill is linked with an increase in gastric ulcers, this still cannot provide evidence to distinguish between stress and exercise as running excessively on a treadmill does also increase stress levels. Huntington, Myers and Owens suggest that exercise may cause ulcers due to the stomach acids boucing around in the gut. Other causes relate to some medications such as non steroidal anti inflammatory medications (Pavord & Pavord, 2007), and more recent research suggests that feeding electrolytes can increase the incidence of ulcers (Davies, 2009).
Treatment and Prognosis
Treatment offered will depend on the severity of the ulcers and condition of the horse. Should the condition of the horse be so poor and he or she isn't eating or drinking then the vet should be contacted as they can administer medications to relieve ulcers, similar to those that a doctor would prescribe a human, such as omeprazole. Should the horse still be in decent condition then management strategies should be implemented by the handler including; reducing the grain and starch content of feed, increasing forage, eliminating electrolytes from the diet and reducing stress for the horse, however this later option may not be possible if the horse is a performance horse in work. Prognosis remains good as long as there is no severe damage, as the condition improves as the natural lifestyle is restored, including turnout.
Auty, I. (2005). The BHS Complete Manual of Stable Management. Kenilworth Press: Great Britain.
Davies, Z. (2009). Introduction to horse nutrition. Wiley-Blackwell, UK.
Huntington, P., Myers, J. & Owens, E. (2004). Horse Sense, 2nd Edition. Landlinks Press: Victoria.
O'Brien, K. (2007). Essential Horse Health. David and Charles Limited: UK.
Pavord, T. & Pavord, M. (2007) Complete Equine Veterinary Manual. David and Charles Limited: UK.
Rush, A. (2008). You Horse's Health First Aid. David and Charles Limited: UK.
Sutton, A. (2006). The Injury Free Horse. David and Charles Limited: UK.
