What Are Horse Ulcers?
Horse ulcers are non-healing sores that can develop both outside and inside the body. In horses, ulcers most commonly develop in the stomach and are known as gastric ulcers. These sores may also occur in the intestines, including the colon, though stomach ulcers are the most frequently diagnosed form.
The horse’s stomach is different from the human stomach. It has two sections. The upper section is lined with squamous cells and does not have a thick mucus coating. The lower glandular section secretes digestive acids and is protected by mucus. Most gastric ulcers occur in the upper non-glandular section because it lacks this protective mucus barrier.
Mucus provides an effective barrier against stomach acid. Because the lower glandular section is coated in mucus, it is usually well protected from the hydrochloric acid produced there. However, some horses may also develop ulcers in the first section of the small intestine called the duodenum, and in rare cases, ulcers may appear throughout the intestines as colonic ulcers.
Ulcers affect horses by causing discomfort, poor appetite, and reduced performance. In severe cases, ulcers may become life-threatening if they erode through the stomach or intestinal wall and lead to bleeding or peritonitis.
Horse owners who suspect gastric ulcers should consult a veterinarian and may also explore supportive care products such as digestive support and equine health supplements.
Key Facts About Ulcers in Horses
- Between 60 and 90 percent of foals and stalled weanlings have ulcers
- Over 90 percent of racehorses have ulcers
- More than 60 percent of performance horses develop ulcers
These statistics show how common gastric ulcers are among horses, especially those involved in racing, training, or frequent travel.
Which Horses Develop Ulcers?
According to Dr. Michael Murray in the Equine Veterinary Journal, approximately 60 percent of foals and 60 percent of performance horses develop ulcers. Some veterinarians estimate that the percentage of foals affected may be as high as 90 percent.
Performance horses include event horses, dressage horses, and horses that are transported frequently to competitions or shows. Veterinarians examining the stomachs of racehorses and weanlings have confirmed that more than 90 percent of racehorses and stalled weanlings develop ulcers.
Stallions kept near mares and colts kept close to their mothers may also develop ulcers due to increased stress levels. Even horses housed at home can be prone to ulcers when they are undergoing training or experiencing changes in routine.
It can take as little as five days for stressed horses to develop ulcers. Situations that increase risk include transportation to shows, unfamiliar stalls, changes in feeding schedules, or feeding horses only twice per day instead of allowing them to graze throughout the day.
Horse owners often use supportive digestive products and stomach support formulas to help maintain gastrointestinal health. Options can be found in the equine digestive support category.
Causes of Horse Ulcers
Several factors contribute to the development of gastric ulcers in horses. The most common causes include stress, high-carbohydrate diets, limited grazing time, and intense physical activity.
Stress
Horses evolved with a nervous system that is highly responsive to stress, making them particularly sensitive to the hormone cortisol. The interaction of cortisol with the vagus nerve, which controls digestion, can contribute to ulcer formation.
Situations that increase cortisol levels include:
- Transportation
- Competition and performance
- Sudden diet changes
- Changes in routine or environment
Horses in training that are regularly transported to events are especially vulnerable, even if they appear calm and comfortable during travel or competition.
High Carbohydrate Diets
High-carbohydrate diets can increase the risk of gastric ulcers and acid reflux in horses. Carbohydrates release volatile fatty acids during digestion. These acids can enter stomach cells and promote irritation that may lead to ulcer formation.
Managing diet and supporting digestive health with veterinarian-recommended supplements from the horse health products category may help reduce risk factors.
Being Fed Twice a Day Instead of Grazing
Horses naturally evolved to graze for most of the day. When horses are limited to two meals per day instead of grazing for 8 to 16 hours, the digestive system does not function the way it was designed.
Grazing stimulates constant saliva production. Saliva has a basic pH that helps neutralize the acidic environment of the stomach. When horses graze throughout the day, this steady flow of saliva buffers stomach acid and protects the stomach lining.
When horses are fed only twice daily, stomach acid continues to be produced, but there is less saliva available to neutralize it. Over time, this imbalance increases the risk of gastric ulcers.
Physical Activity
Horses undergoing intense physical activity, such as racing or competition, may develop ulcers due to abdominal muscle contractions during exercise.
These contractions can push bile and acidic contents from the intestine back into the stomach. When this occurs, the stomach lining may become irritated, increasing the risk of ulcer formation.
Horse owners concerned about stomach health and digestive comfort may consider supportive products available in the equine health and digestive support categories at 1800PetMeds.
Understanding the causes of horse ulcers is the first step in preventing them. Proper feeding practices, stress management, and digestive support can all play a role in helping horses maintain a healthier gastrointestinal system.
