Species
Side view of horse belly
Bottom of white horse body with blue background

Gastric Health

Soothe the Stomach

Equine Gastric Health

The internal lining of the stomach is divided into two halves. The upper part of the stomach is nearest to where food enters from the esophagus. It consists of non-glandular (squamous) epithelial tissue that does not have much secretory function in relation to digestion. This portion of the stomach has limited protective mechanisms and can become exposed to acid when there is limited forage intake or during exercise.

 

The lower half of the stomach is lined by glandular epithelium. This is where gastric acid is secreted. Therefore, the horse also secretes mucus and other protective factors in this area to protect against the acid it is producing. The two sections are divided by a demarcation known as the margo plicatus.

 

The long and complicated nature of the horses' digestive tract can predispose them to many problems.

 

  • • Colic: the term "colic" refers to abdominal pain rather than a specific disease. Conditions that commonly cause colic include gas, impactions with feed or sand, abnormal motility, and a myriad of other causes

  • • Gastric ulcers (equine gastric ulcer syndrome or EGUS)

  • • Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms

  • • Other non-infectious diseases caused by overeating, eating poor-quality food, chemicals, obstruction, inflammation and cancer

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome1

Ulceration of the stomach is a common health problem and it occurs when acid damages the lining of the stomach causing ulcers to develop. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) has been subdivided into two clinical conditions based on differences in where and how they occur and how they are treated; Equine Squamous Gastric Disease, and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease. 

 

The two leading risk factors for ulcers in horses are the way we feed them (e.g. episodic feeding, withdrawal before exercise and limited or no turnout) and stress (e.g. injury, transport, stall confinement). 

 

Feeding: Lack of forage in a horse’s diet is a contributing factor of EGUS. Through a continual intake of forage, the horse naturally produces saliva which acts as a buffer to stomach acid. In today’s environment, horses are often subjected to a concentrate-rich diet and longer periods between feedings. More concentrate (especially high starch concentrates) along with less access to grazing means reduced amount of chewing, reduced saliva production, less physical buffering of acid by forage itself in the stomach, more acid production, and higher likelihood of gastric ulcer syndrome.

 

Stress: Some horses are more prone to stress than others, but for many even the smallest changes in routine can cause stress. Physical and behavioral changes such as injury, transportation and stall confinement can cause stress in horses. It’s important to identify and anticipate moments of stress so that you can manage them properly. 

 

The economic impact of this disease is difficult to calculate because the impact on athletic performance has not been accurately determined. However, there are well-defined costs attributable to diagnosis, medication and the labor required for treatment.

Year-Round Care

Up to 90% of performance horses and 60% of all horses may be affected by gastric ulcers.1 Unfortunately many horse owners don’t think about ulcers until their horse is showing signs. Maintaining good gastric health requires a year-round regimen of management, prevention and treatment.

 

Management tips to aid in the prevention of gastric ulcers:

 

  • Provide hay free-choice utilizing slow feed hay net or feeder where possible
  • If concentrate is necessary, provide in small frequent meals and try to minimize starch
  • Consider adding alfalfa to their diet to help buffer acid 
  • Feed hay before concentrate
  • Minimize stress as much as possible (stick to routines, provide turnout if appropriate, pay attention to social structure)

Treat with Gastrogard® (omeprazole)

Many factors may lead you to suspect ulcers in your horse, such as health history, lifestyle issues that cause stress and clinical signs (e.g. poor performance, weight loss, decreased appetite). Some horses may not show obvious clinical signs but have risk factors and subtle changes in behavior, performance, or appetite. An endoscopic exam is the only way to definitively diagnose equine gastric ulcers.

 

If your horse is diagnosed, ask your veterinarian for GASTROGARD, the only proven and FDA-approved treatment with a long history of success in treating ulcers. GASTROGARD is for use in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older. The safety of GASTROGARD paste has not been determined in pregnant or lactating mares.

Prevent with Ulcergard® (omeprazole)

It’s important to stay in front of stress so that it doesn’t lead to gastric ulcers. Before stress strikes – prevent with ULCERGARD. It’s the only ulcer medication proven to be safe and effective and approved by the FDA to prevent equine gastric ulcers. ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 lbs. Safety in pregnant mares has not been determined.

Gastrogard

GASTROGARD® (omeprazole)

Proven prescription treatment of equine gastric ulcers. GASTROGARD is for use in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older.

See Product Detail

GASTROGARD® (omeprazole)

Proven prescription treatment of equine gastric ulcers. GASTROGARD is for use in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older.

See Product Detail
Gastrogard
Ulcergard

ULCERGARD® (omeprazole)

Safe and effective over-the-counter gastric ulcer prevention. ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 lbs.

See Product Detail

ULCERGARD® (omeprazole)

Safe and effective over-the-counter gastric ulcer prevention. ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 lbs.

See Product Detail
Ulcergard

GASTROGARD IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: The safety of GASTROGARD paste has not been determined in pregnant or lactating mares. For use in horses and foals 4 weeks of age and older. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of ingestion, contact a physician. Caution: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

 

ULCERGARD IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 lbs. Safety in pregnant mares has not been determined. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. In case of ingestion, contact a physician.

1. Sykes BW, Hewetson M, Hepburn RJ, et al. European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement—Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Adult Horses. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.13578/full.

 

ULCERGARD® and GASTROGARD® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. © 2021 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. US-EQU-0118-2021