Ulcer in Horses

Ulcer is a common disease among horses and foals. Around 50% Horses in their lifetime show the sign of ulcer. Racing horse has higher developed ulcer chances much higher they may develop from moderate to severe ulcers.

Factors of ulcers

• Fasting (not eating) – Horses have the habit of grazing; they eat in many small meals at frequent interval of time. There stomach is empty and stomach has a damaging effect on horses.
• Amount of Exercises: As their physical activity increases, there is a change in feeding habit. High amount of physical exercise increase the time for stomach to empty, so large amounts of acid can remain in an empty stomach for a long period of time. Stress also decreases the amount of blood flow to the stomach making lining of the stomach more vulnerable to injury.

Signs of ulcers in horses

• Avoid walking
• Shows violent behaviors on wearing saddle pads or horse rugs.
• Diarrhea
• Lying on the back
• Weight loss

Treatment of Ulcers in Horses

The treatment of ulcers involves

• Decrease acid production.
• Buffer the acid that is produced.
• Protect the lining of the stomach from the effects of the acid.

For these we use

• Proton pump inhibitors: They inhibit the production of acid by the stomach.
• Protect ants: These drugs block acid from coming into contact with the stomach lining.
• Increasing the amount of roughage in the diet.
• Increasing amount of pasture in horses in diet.
• Decreasing the amount of grain. Use supplements to complete the need of vitamins in horse body.

It takes a long time for ulcer to heal. Always follow your veterinarian's treatment recommendations. Never stop the treatment and medicine in between; else your horse will never heal.