April Knudson, DVM, is an Equine Specialist with Merial Veterinary Services. She has a special interest in sport horse lameness and internal medicine. She holds a doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of California-Davis. Below she responds to a question about equine stomach ulcers.
Question: I’m planning to compete this year. Is there anything I can do to help protect my horse from developing stomach ulcers?
Answer: To help protect your horse from stomach ulcers, it is important to understand their cause and horses’ susceptibility to them. Equine gastric ulcers are common in nearly all breeds and disciplines. In fact, during gastric endoscopy events conducted by Merial around the country from 2008 to 2010, more than 58 percent of the 3,354 horses that were examined had some degree of stomach ulceration.
Let’s take a look at why horses are so susceptible to gastric ulcers. A horse’s stomach produces up to 16 gallons of acidic fluid every day, which aides digestion in natural grazing situations. This high roughage diet results in a decreased level of acid, due to a buffering effect of the grass itself and also the horse’s own saliva. On the other hand, domestic horses are often fed high grain diets and have limited access to grazing pasture, which can increase the gastric acid levels. The combination of those increased levels with lack of buffering results in the stomach being exposed to too much acid.
Exposure to stress can also contribute to the formation of gastric ulcers in horses. Preparing for and participating in events or competitions will expose a horse to additional stressors, such as enhanced training regimens, transport, increased stall time and limited turnout.
You can help prevent gastric ulcers by managing your horse’s stress level in the following ways:
• Keeping your horse’s routine as consistent as possible, as changes can lead to stress.
• Providing frequent small meals and roughage in the diet.
• Adhering to good trailering practices when traveling to and from shows such as limiting total travel time, stopping to allow your horse to rest and offering water.
• When traveling, take items that are familiar (i.e., your own hay, grain and water).
Another important step in managing your horse’s health care is the use of ULCERGARD®(omeprazole). ULCERGARD is the only proven, FDA-approved medication specifically formulated and designed to help prevent stomach ulcers in healthy horses. ULCERGARD works to reduce acid production by blocking the acid pump in the stomach.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 pounds. Safety in pregnant mares has not been determined.
About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2010 sales were more than $2.6 billion. Merial is a Sanofi company.
For more information, please see www.merial.com.
