The gut and ulcers

The horse's stomach and gut are vulnerable — and much of the damage starts with how and what is fed. A few insights on ulcers and gut health.

Painkillers can cause stomach ulcers within a week — not the three weeks many assume

The idea that anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) only cause ulcers after prolonged use is not borne out by the evidence — ulcers can appear within seven days of standard doses. Any horse needing more than a single dose is a candidate for stomach protection.

Chewing is the horse's natural antacid

Horse saliva is rich in bicarbonate and buffers stomach acid — but it is only produced while the horse is actually chewing. A horse eating hay produces a steady stream of this natural antacid; a horse eating a quick bucket of hard feed barely produces any. This is a key reason 'forage first' protects the stomach.

There are two different stomach-ulcer diseases, with different causes and treatments

Ulcers on the upper (squamous) part of the stomach are caused by acid splashing onto unprotected lining and respond well to forage, oil and management changes. Ulcers on the lower (glandular) part are less well understood and behave differently. Treating them as one disease leads to failures — only a scope can tell them apart.

This is general information. It does not replace the individual feeding plan your EVN vet prepares for your horse after assessing it.