Equine Nutrition
Fact Sheet
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
Sherrill Perry
sherrill.a.perry@gmail.com
Student ID#: 119-949-941
March 11, 2012
Introduction
Often we will hear people say “Take it easy, you are going to give yourself an
ulcer”. Are we as aware of the fact that horses get ulcers too? During a 2011
symposium, the following was presented:
"We don't have all the answers about EGUS, but we're finding out a lot of
information," Sigler said, adding that recent studies have indicated that
93% of racehorses, 60% of other performance horses, and 56% of foals
are affected by the disorder.1
That quote alone encourages us to think more about how we handle our horses,
many of us can draw conclusions from the findings (that may or may not be
factual), in addition it is known that ulcers do not occur in wild horses….what
further conclusions do we draw from that?
What is Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome?
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is the erosion of the horse’s stomach
lining due to ongoing, excessive exposure to acid produced by the stomach.
www.scielo.br
1
The Horse (2011) Nutritional Management of Gastric Ulcers, June 09,2011,
Article #18365. Erica Larson www.thehorse.com
The hydrochloric acid produced is designed to break down forage in the horse’s
stomach, this process neutralizes the acid, it is designed to be a constant
production of acid and a constant eating pattern is required to neutralize. When
this process does not occur, through fasting, high grain diets or stabling (no
forage) for example, the breakdown or corrosion of the stomach lining can occur,
creating lesions. Saliva is produced as part of the chewing process, the saliva
acts as a buffer; if not enough saliva is produced by insufficient chewing (grazing
and forage), stomach contents will not be buffered.
Clinical Signs and Identification
Symptoms of ulcers are often ‘generic’ to start, until investigated further. For
example a horse will often display a reduction in weight, performance and
condition. These symptoms would not point directly to a stomach ulcer. However,
EGUS should be considered when any or all of these symptoms arise. It has
been suggested that cribbing is a horses attempt to create more saliva, this may
be an additional sign to investigate EGUS further. Ulcers may be found in any
area of the digestive tract, gastric ulcers describe those in the stomach.
When any of these symptoms are presented it is suggested that treatment be
started right away and if symptoms are relived an ulcer is then diagnosed.
Otherwise an endoscopic exam is required to appropriately diagnose the ulcer. If
the symptoms are severe a fecal blood test can be performed for the presence of
blood, however this may not identify a non-bleeding ulcer. A blood sugar test
may also be performed where undigested sugar in the blood stream will identify
the presence of an ulcer.
Potential Causes
Throughout all of the research in this area it is said that ulcers are a management
issue – they are a result of what WE do to horses. For example, some horses are
fed on a feeding plan of meals at various times of day. They are fed starchy
foods and have a lack of forage. As mentioned previously it is important for
horses to be fed forage and ultimately to be on pasture grazing constantly.
Horses that are not eating for whatever reason may develop an ulcer in just two
days as the acid that is being produced is not being buffered.
Stress causes the release of acids into the stomach, the additional acid can eat
away at the stomach cells and lining. Stress may be caused by training, change
in routine, competition, travel and confinement to a stall.
Medication (pain-killers)- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can irritate the
stomach lining enough to cause an ulcer.
Horses that work in fast disciplines such as racing (including barrel racing) or
those transported often and long distances may develop ulcers as the acid in the
stomach area is sloshing around, eventually causing lesions.
Diet Changes and/or Management
Having horses out to pasture goes a long way to help reduce the incidence of
gastric ulcers. The horse then has the ability to graze for extended periods of
time. When in a stall hay should be kept in front of the horse at all times,
particularly alfalfa hay as it absorbs acid better than grass hay.
Feeding oils assist in maintaining weight levels by adding any additional calories
and are smooth on the equine stomach.
High quality protein will produce new and healthy stomach lining therefore
assisting in the healing and avoidance of ulcers. Once again alfalfa can provide
in this area.
Most effective medication is omeprazole in research performed by the Faculté de
médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal 73.3% of horses in their trial were
healed of lesions when administered omeprazole paste for equines. Furthermore
the equine paste is safe and easy to administer.
Herbs are suggested by Getty (2010) and Ward (2012) as treatments for ulcers
in equines. Specific herbs that assist in treatment include licorice, slippery elm
and aloe vera juice. Other herbs are ginger, turmeric, chamomile and quercetin.
Aloe vera juice assists with the digestive tract and can be dispensed on an
ongoing basis (2-4 ounces daily). Licorice has an anti-inflammatory property to it
and assists with the digestive system, however it should not be used long term.
Two or three teaspoons of slippery elm may be added to the aloe vera to assist
in long term soothing of the stomach lining. The Aloe/Elm mixture should be fed
up to three times daily and can be mixed with feed sources.
In the research there are contradictions regarding calcium with Getty suggesting
beet pulp as being high in calcium which buffers acid and Ward commenting that
the best herbs are low in calcium, magnesium and aluminum buffers.
Summary
As we do not have racehorses, or those that are in competition the do’s and
don’ts for our facility are different than other stables. For our pleasure horses the
following should be observed and facilitated whenever possible.
Do:
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Provide ample forage
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Don’t:
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Keep horses on pasture
Ensure feed has sufficient protein
Prepare horses for travel as best as possible
Review potential use of herbs
Observe horses for weight loss, lethargic behaviour, change in mood etc.
Call the veterinarian if any of the above conditions occur
Put horses in stressful situations when not required
Use NSAIDS if possible
Keep in stalls for prolonged periods if feasible
Separate from other mates
Bibliography
Loving, Nancy S, (2006) All Horse Systems Go, Vermont - Trafalgar Square
Books, 2006
Getty, Juliet M, (2010) Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, Indianapolis – Dog Ear
Publishing
Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science
Print version ISSN 1413-9596
Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. vol.36 n.1 São Paulo 1999
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
By Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Gastric Ulcers - Mar 31st, 03 – American Association of Equine Practitioners
The Horse (2011) Nutritional Management of Gastric Ulcers, June 09,2011,
Article #18365. Erica Larson www.thehorse.com
www.horse-canada.com Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (1999)
Natural Ulcer Relief for Horses
by Madalyn Ward, DVM
http://www.holistichorsekeeping.com/resources/articles/natural_ulcer.html
Efficacy of a paste formulation of omeprazole for the treatment of naturally
occurring gastric ulcers in training standardbred racehorses in Canada
Michèle Y. Doucet, André A. Vrins, Rachel Dionne, Roberto Alva, and Glenn
Ericsson
Can Vet J. 2003 July; 44(7): 581–585
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC340210/
McGreevy, Paul (2004) – Equine Behavior – A Guide for Veterinarians and
Equine Scientists. Elsevier Limited.
National Research Council (2007) Nutrient Requirements of Horses, Sixth
Revised Edition. The National Academies Press.