Introduction
Equine gastric ulcers (also known as EGUS) are a problem that affects horses of all ages, breeds, and disciplines. They can lead to weight loss, poor performance, behavior changes, and decreased appetite. They can cause serious health problems if left untreated. There are steps horse owners can take that will help prevent and treat equine stomach ulcers. We will be discussing how to treat and prevent equine stomach ulcers in horses.
What causes Equine Gastric Ulcers
Equine gastric ulcers result from an imbalance in the stomach’s acid production and stomach’s ability to produce enough mucus to protect itself against the acid. Horses are more likely to develop ulcers because they produce more acid than people. Certain lifestyle factors may also increase your risk of developing ulcers. These are:
- Stressful environments
- For long periods of time, you may not be able to eat.
- Excessive grain feeding
- Excessive non-structural carbohydrate intake
- Inadequate grazing times
- Inadequate water intake
How to Prevent Equine Gastritis
It is important to avoid equine gastric problems by creating a stress-free environment. It means giving your horse enough time to get out, feeding them regularly, and making sure they have access to water and hay at all times. Owners should also pay attention to the horse’s diet and ensure it has adequate vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients.
Increase the Turn-Out Time
Horses should be out at least six hours per days to help reduce stress and prevent gastric cancer. Horses should be allowed to graze during this time. This can buffer stomach acid and lower the risk of developing ulcers.
Frequent meals
Frequent small meals can buffer stomach acid and lower the risk of developing ulcers. Horses should be fed three times per day. Ideally, horses should be allowed to graze all day.
Give Access to Hay and Water
To reduce the risk of developing ulcers, horses should always have access to water and hay. Water helps flush the stomach and lowers the risk of developing ulcers. Hay buffers stomach acid.
How to treat Equine Gastric Ulcers
First, make sure that the horse has access to water and hay at all times. To reduce stomach acid and heal ulcers, medication such as omeprazole may need to be used in severe cases.
Medications
Omeprazole, the most common medication prescribed for horses with gastric ulcers, is also known as the “Omeprazole”. It reduces stomach acid production and speeds up ulcer healing. The dose should be taken orally, once or twice daily.
Alternative Therapies
Equine gastric ulcers can also be treated with alternative therapies such as massage, acupuncture, and herbal supplements. These therapies can reduce stress and improve your overall health which can then help heal the ulcers.
Conclusion
It is possible to treat and prevent equine gastric ulcers. It is important to make sure that the environment is stress-free in order to prevent stomach ulcers. You can do this by increasing turn-out, giving horses frequent meals, and making sure they have access to water and hay at all times. Omeprazole, which reduces stomach acid and allows ulcers to heal, may be required if a horse has been diagnosed with ulcers. Other treatments, such as massage, acupuncture and herbal supplements can also be used to treat ulcers. Horse owners can make sure their horses are happy and healthy by taking preventative measures to treat and prevent equine gastric disorders.
FAQs
What causes equine gastric cancer?
Equine gastric ulcers result from an imbalance in the stomach acid production and the pH.