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Horse or Equine Stomach and Hind Gut Ulcers                       

                                                                                                   

 Cynthia Collins and Larisa

   Stomach and hind gut ulcers in horses or equines can be a source of great pain and distress for many horses.  I want to start this page by stating that I am NOT a Veterinarian.  Also, I do not sell any of the products mentioned on this page, however, I have used them and worked with the companies.   I am a rider who has experience with a horses that have had stomach and hind gut ulcers problems.  I have lived with my ulcer horse everyday for 10 years.  I have been all over the country and seen many horses that also show signs that they might have ulcers, sore hocks and TMJ's. 

I decided to add this page to my web site to help inform the many riders who have experienced many of the same issues that I have had.  I am merely sharing my experiences and knowledge, so that it might help any horse and rider that might be having problems.  There is a lot of information on this and the joint page.  Please feel free to visit it more than once or print it out so you can refer to it often.   It is your decision if you follow any treatments on this web site.  If you have any concerns, you should consult your veterinarian.

   Sometimes people think their horse is having training difficulties, when if fact, the horse is in pain.  I have found time and time again, if your horse cannot or will not do something that you think they should be able to do, PUT DOWN THE WHIP, GET OFF, AND START LOOKING FOR A PAIN ISSUE.  It may not be easy to find and you need a good vet to help, but I assure you, once you find it, the horse will work willingly.  It could be sore hocks, stifles, hooves, backs, ovulation in mares, TMJ, or stomach or hind gut ulcers.  There are very few horses that are bad tempered.  They usually want to please.  Some horses have been in pain for so many years, they have lost all the joy that was once in their souls.  Most of the time, the horse is as frustrated as the rider.

    Does your horse spook, bolt, rear, buck, or kick while riding?  Is your horse “girthy”?  Is your horse nervous or does it worry?  Do you ride a mare, stallion, or sensitive gelding?  Do you believe your horse is not happy? Does your horse always seem to be crooked to the right? Does it not want to pick up the right canter lead or do flying changes in that direction?  Does your horse have a hard time holding weight? Is it a picky eater? Does it have a dull coat? Has your horse just experienced a recent trauma in their life?  Have they been recently imported, moved to a new barn, or their buddy has left? Has your horse's behavior gotten worse as your training proceeds where as it should be getting better? Does your horse colic when the weather changes, either hot, cold, or both? (FYI Ulcer horses seem to have more trouble in the winter as the low pressure changes of the storms bother them more than other horses.)  If you answered “yes” to even one of these questions, your horse could have ulcers. Even if you answered “no”, your horse still could have stomach and/or hind gut ulcers. The only sure thing about ulcer symptoms is that all horses react differently to stomach ulcers.

 

MY STORY

    I own a very talented mare. She’s an excellent mover and loves to work, but, being a mare, she worries.  I trained my last mare to Grand Prix with the help of Hilda Gurney.  I have started many babies, so I felt that I knew what I was doing. Unfortunately, the farther we got into our training, the more spooking was occurring.  She is extremely athletic, and most of the behavior was blamed on her hotness.

    A friend of mine had told me that her gelding was very similar to my mare in personality and she had treated her horse for ulcers.  I began researching on the internet.  I found out that horses had been treated successfully with the use of over the counter human treatments. I consulted two of my veterinarians for their opinions.  Since they both knew her, they both thought ulcers were a high possibility. We discussed have her scoped, but both vets said that I should try a test treatment.  We decided to treat her with 1/2 cup of Calcium carbonate (Mylanta) 3 -5 times a day for a week.  It couldn’t hurt my horse to try it. If I didn’t see any changes in a few weeks, I could take her off the medicine.  After a few days, I saw a major change in my horse’s behavior. She was more relaxed and less spooky. 

    Since then, I have tried several different treatments.  Below is what I have found works best for my horse.  For years, I have had trouble putting weight on this mare and now she has good weight. Her coat is glossy and she is moving better than she ever has moved.  She continues to gain confidence in both herself and me.  I am amazed at the difference in her behavior. I do believe you need to use medication while the correct feed heals the ulcers.

     FYI, these horses are never free from getting ulcers again.  Stress, worming, and medications can bring them on again.  You must always be watching your horse for signs and symptoms.  However, once you understand how to control and heal them, you can get rid of them sooner and not have a big problem. 

    Lower down the page is my feeding program, if you are interested. 

TEST YOUR HORSE

     If you want to see if your horse has stomach problems, you can give it 100 cc to 1/4 cup of Mylanta (Calcium Carbonate) several times per day for 3 - 5 days.  If you see any type of changes, you need to treat your horse.  It may or may not have ulcers, but a change means there are stomach problems.

Stomach Ulcer  Research

(Please see Hind Gut section also)

    According to the latest veterinarian studies, “Almost 60% of performance horses have ulcers. Up to 57% of foals have stomach ulcers, particularly during the first several months of life. Most of these horses and foals show no signs of illness.” (See www.horseadvice.com; “Gastric Ulcers in Horses,” by Robert N. Oglesby, DVM.) (“USDF Connections, Oct. 2003.)

    "New research shows that stomach ulcers can occur within five days in horses exposed to recreational show conditions and activities. The study, reported in the September 1, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) , indicated that seven out of 10 horses developed ulcers when exposed to normal situations related to weekend show travel. These included transportation, twice daily feeding, light exercise and stall confinement. Researchers and veterinarians have historically associated stomach ulcers with high-performance or racehorses. This new study shows just how easily horses can develop stomach ulcers in association with less-strenuous, recreational activities such as weekend horseshows or events. “The research demonstrated that conditions representing typical activities of the recreationally used horse are associated with an increased incidence of gastric ulcers within a short time period,” said Dr. Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, author of the study. “The findings reported should increase awareness that gastric ulcers affect a greater population of horses than previously thought.” The study included a total of 20 horses determined to be ulcer-free. Ten of the horses were exposed to conditions over the next five days that simulated a weekend horse show. This included four hours of transport to a secondary facility, three days of light training (thirty minutes of lunging twice per day), twice daily feeding, stall confinement and a four-hour trip back to the home facility. The other ten horses remained together in a paddock at the home location as a control group. All 20 horses underwent a second endoscopy on day five. Results showed that seven out of ten horses transported off-site had developed stomach ulcers within only five days. Furthermore, two of the control horses developed ulcers, possibly due to the change in herd dynamics after the first group was transported away. The research highlights just how easily horses can get stomach ulcers and the opportunity for proactive prevention. Ulcers can be prevented with a maintenance dose of Omeprazole.

     "There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the more you can mimic the almost continuous natural grazing behavior of horses in the wild, the better," said study co-author Becky Hothersall, PhD, a researcher studying Equine Learning and Cognition at the University's School of Veterinary Science. The authors found horses fed more hay displayed generally quieter behavior, and fewer stereotypic behaviors (such as cribbing or weaving), compared to horses fed infrequent and large high-starch meals. "More time spent eating less nutrient-rich food is likely to fulfill your horse's instincts to forage, and may reduce digestive problems or blood sugar fluctuations associated with large meals," Hothersall said. The study noted that after a horse ingests a large, starchy meal, "the higher proportion of dry matter in the stomach contents slows the mixing of feed and gastric juice ... and can result in discomfort and even gastric colic."

 

Four steps to heal stomach ulcers

      It is important to understand that these horses produce stomach acid 24/7, but these horses are producing excess stomach acid and you MUST CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF ACID in the stomach in order TO CONTROL THE DAMAGE TO THE STOMACH.  Ulcers are a result of damage done to the upper lining in the stomach by acid.  Omeprazole and the use of Calcium Carbonate will help you control it.  There are times you may need to use more, less, or none.  Only by observing your horse and it's behavior you can make these decisions.  Your horse is basically a living science experiment that you will need to monitor on a daily basis.  Please keep in mind, the medications do not heal the stomach.  L-Glutamine in cabbage and nitric oxide in pumpkin seeds will heal the stomach.  Oat flour will heal the intestine's that have also been damaged with the production of excess stomach acid.  It's important to use the medication and the feeds to heal the stomach and intestines as soon as possible.  Healing takes several weeks, but you will see changes in behavior as soon as the body starts to heal.

 1. Reduce the amount of acid in the stomach

    The first part is to lessen the production of stomach acid.  This is achieved by the use of one of three products Cimetidine (generic Tagamet) or Ranitidine (generic Zantac) which are both effective for 8 hours, or Omeprazole (generic Prilosec) which is effective for 24 hours.   Because of this, all products that reduce acid production are legal at USEF and FEI shows.   "Since 2000, three drugs to treat and prevent gastric ulcers may be given at shows.  The FEI conducted a detailed evaluation to ascertain whether the permitted medications had any secondary performance enhancing properties and concluded that they did not (other than relieving any distress caused to the horse by the ulcers themselves), and so, the histamine type-2 receptor antagonists Cimetidine and Ranitidine, and the proton pump inhibitor Omeprazole are now permitted when horses compete under FEI rules." (US Equestrian Magazine; Feb. 2004, pg.59.)

      Omeprazole has been proven as the most effective of the three in horses.  Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which means it "restricts the production of stomach acid, thereby protecting the lining of the stomach from acid exposure." (USDF Connection; Oct. 2003, pg. 27.)  One reason this is the most effective means of treated ulcers is because it is effective for 24 hours. Because it works for a long period of time, the stomach can have enough time to heal itself.  These medications need to be given at least 21 days to ensure adequate healing of the ulcer. However, the reoccurrence of ulcers is high, so a 1/4 maintenance dose may be necessary.  Please be aware that this medication does not shut down all of the acid producing pumps, just some of them.  They will still have enough acid to digest their feed.

Buying Omeprazole

   There are several ways of getting Omeprazole. 

    You can buy GastroGard from your vet or Ulcer Gard.  This is the same company and the same dosage in a tube. It's just packaged and marketed differently. This is, however, the most expensive way to buy it.  It contains 2.8 g of Omeprazole in each tube. This comes in a tube of paste, so you can just squirt it into the mouth of the horse.  You need to get a prescription for GastroGard, but do not need one for Ulcer Gard.  Maintenance is 1/4 tube per day.

    There are great sources of generic of Omeprazole which are much cheaper.  They come in several different forms.  I have found NO difference by using any of these products versus the name brands. They are all effective treatment options. Some vets only want you to use the brand names, but Omeprazole is Omeprazole, no matter the source.

    You can get Omeprazole in a powder.  This comes with a 1.4 g scoop, so it would take two scoops for a full dose.  It can be added to the grain and is apple flavored.  This also a very good price if you can get your vet to call them.   However, your vet may order it him/herself and add their cost to it. This is common.  You do need a prescription.  Maintenance would be 1/2 scoop per day.  This has been a great product for me.  It has made a huge difference in my mare.  I HIGHLY recommend it if you can get a vet, any vet to call in the prescription.

    You can get a generic paste.   This is also made by Precision Pharmacy.  Again, you must have a vet order this or write you a prescription or call them. This is a tube with 2.2 g of Omeprazole paste.  Maintenance dose is 1/4 of a tube per day.  It is a slightly less dose Omeprazole than GastroGard, but my mare works just as well on there dosage.  This is the best for horses who don't always eat well.  I use this at shows, so I am sure she has her medication each morning.

   There are many compounding companies.  You can find them with an internet search.  I have used  Precision Pharmacy for many years.  They are an excellent company.  Your vet can call them at (877) 734-3338 or Fax at (661) 377-3334 or www.myprecisionpharmacy.com  You cannot order this without a prescription.  You can have your vet call it in, then call them and order it.  However, please do not call them without the vet calling first.

     You can get Omeprazole without a prescription. I am currently using these products and they seem to be working.  The prices seem competitive and you do not need a prescription.  They have granules and pills for horses.  The granules seem easier to add to your supplements.  As of now, my mare is not eating much, so I am mixing it with some Mylanta and using a large syringe with the tip cut off and putting this into her mouth.  She is eating it that way without fussing.   http://www.equine.omeprazoledirect.com/   Please be aware, it will take a week or so to get this medicine from this source.

   You can also go to your local drug store and buy Prilosec.  You will need 10 - 20 pills per day.  When I used this form, I snap then in half and soak them in some water for about 5 minutes, then mix it into the supplements. 

***It is important to understand the dosage of Omeprazole.  Each horse produces different amounts of stomach acid depending on the situation.  It may take time before you decide which amount is best for your horse. Omeprazole shuts down some of the pumps in the stomach, not all of them.  The number of pumps shut down depends on the dosage.  The higher the dose, the greater number of pumps shut down. I do recommend full dosage for at least two weeks to start with.  Then you can try 1/2 dose for the next two weeks.  Finally, try a 1/4 dose for another two weeks. If the horse is doing well, you can try to take them off the Omeprazole altogether.  However, if your horse experiences stress during any time or starts having problems again, you will need to return to a full dose for a while, so that you protect the stomach from making new ulcers.  After the stress has passed, you can try to return to maintenance doses for a few weeks.  Your horse may be able to be Omeprazole free once the ulcers have healed and there is no stress.  But remember, stress can come in many different forms, including changes at your barn.  Also, if you are going to take your horse "off" the property for training or showing, it is recommended you use full doses starting 4 days prior and during the experience.  This is really the best way to keep the horse's ulcers from re-occurring.  You will need to try different doses and watch your horse to see how it is behaving. 

Sucralfate

    There is one other medicine that I use when my mare is really having problems.  It is an old human drug used before all of the acid reducers.  It is called Sucralfate and it lines the ulcers, kind of like a liquid bandage.  I have found it quite useful.  I give 5 - 1 gram tablets AM and PM.  I break them in half and soak them in a little water.  They easily dissolve and then I either add them to her supplements or syringe them into her mouth directly.  I do have a source, but he has asked not to be on my web page.  So you will need to search the web and find a source yourself.  They are not expensive and do work well.  I have told my vet that I use them and he agrees that they do work well.  I don't use them all the time, just when she is having a hard time with her stomach ulcers.

2. Absorb excess acid in the stomach

  The second part is to absorb excess acid and coat the upper 1/3 of the stomach.  This is done by using Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, U-Gard, or Neigh-Lox.  These all do the same job as they are calcium carbonate, absorb stomach acid, so you my substitute one for the other without any problems.  Although they work almost immediately, they only work for about 30 - 45 minutes.  So using them alone will not give the horse's stomach enough time to heal itself.  But they are very effective in reducing stomach pain quickly.  It's also important to know that these products themselves will not make the horse to relax.  The horse is tense because it's stomach hurts. It has been shown that feeding a SMALL amount of alfalfa hay can help ulcer horses as this hay is very high in calcium which absorbs the stomach acid.  You can use this method instead of using the Omeprazole, however, I recommend using both together.  If you cannot afford the Omeprazole, then give the antacid 3 - 6 times a day. 

3. Keep the stomach as full of hay as possible

      Horses produce stomach acid all the time since they are meant to be grazing most of the day.  But under stress or when exercising, it is especially important to have food in the belly.  "Exercising, particularly at the trot and canter, exposes the unprotected part of the stomach to hydrochloric acid.  Ulcers then form on the top part of the stomach.  Add to that the intensity of competition or training and we have a potential welfare problem." (US Equestrian Magazine; Feb. 2004, pg.59.) These products, and riding with food in the stomach, allow them to return to the way the horse should be going naturally.   I ALWAYS feed all my horses about 4 cups alfalfa/grass pellets before I ride any horse. Also I keep grass hay in front of my mare 24/7.

4. Foods and Herbs that can help heal

  There are two foods that I truly believe have helped to heal my horse's stomach.  I have tried many, many different supplements that were supposed to help and found the made NO difference in my horse.  However, although these may seem a bit weird, and I wasn't sure at first, I have seen major changes in my horse.  These foods have enabled me to take my horse off of all medication for the ulcers after a few weeks.  I do use them all the time as maintenance and she has gotten better and better.

      The first is green cabbage.  This is full of the amino acid, L-Glutamine, that is proven to heal the stomach lining.  You feed 1/2 cup of dried cabbage or 1/4 head of fresh cabbage or 1/2 package of coleslaw (no dressing). I have found this to be the extremely effective.  You can get the dried cabbage at www.harmonyhousefoods.com  You can get fresh cabbage at the store.  You can either chop it up or by the package of coleslaw makings (less the dressing) and feed it that way.  Please know, however, that I have found fresh cabbage to make them a bit gassy.  So the dried cabbage may work better for your horse. You can dry your own if you have the time. Just place the cabbage in a metal strainer for 2 days in your oven.  You can turn it on the lowest heat setting for about 1 minute, then turn it off. (Remember to take it out if you are going to bake.)  Also, if you feed MSM (1 tablespoon) with the cabbage, the body will make Glucosamine for the joints.

 The second is raw pumpkin seeds (peeled/hulled).  These are high in Nitric Oxide which the body uses to heal everything that needs healing.  I soak 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds per horse for about 4 hours, dump out the water.  The benefit is that it brings the seeds alive and makes them active and more potent.  I have found the pumpkin seeds to benefit all three of my horses, one with chronic sore feet, another recovered from OCD surgery, and the oldest, at 19 years old and 6 years off, healed her torn suspensory ligament. These little seeds contain amazing healing abilities. I wouldn't believe it, but I have seen them work.  I feel ALL performance or injured horses need these.  I have been amazed by the results.  You can get them at www.bulkfoods.com or www.bulkwholefoods.com

    Some also believe that Aloe Vera Juice to be very helpful.  You can get it at Wal-Mart.  You can give 1/2 cup per a day.  Aloe Vera is thought to heal the stomach and intestines.  I used it for years, but haven't since I put them on the cabbage add pumpkin seeds.

      If you don't want to buy and feed all of this separately, you may want to try one product that has everything in it, except the Omeprazole. It is made from organic sprouted seeds along with oat bran, mirco-crystalized aloe juice, and cabbage, called Tum-Ease EQ.  It "helps reduce the effect of stomach acid production on interestinal mucosa. They are in the form of cookies, so they are very easy to use.  You can either hand feed or add your horse's grain. You can get them at www.TheraCellEQ.com  The founder of these products has horses and developed her products with amazing results with her own horses.  She has over 20 years experience in the human supplement field. There is also Furnace EQ that contains pumpkin seeds that will help heal anything that needs healing, including the stomach and intestines.

      Many also believe that the use of herbs, such as Slippery Elm, Marshmallow root, Ginger, and Licorice may also help soothe the stomach.  I have used them, but didn't see a lot of difference.  But I included them as some people want to try them.  You can give 1 teaspoon per day. These can be ordered from www.glenbrookfarm.com/herbs  

 

   My Treatment and Feeding Program

     The following are the foods and medication I give and why I feed them.  You can use whatever want.  Some may sound at bit strange, and I wasn't sure about them when I first heard of these.  But they have helped to heal my horse and made her healthy. I do believe the cabbage, oat flour, and pumpkin seeds are easy and the three things that are a must.  As with all feed changes, you should take one to two weeks to work up to the suggested amounts.  Sometimes the horse is not sure about these when you first feed them.  Just keep adding them to hay pellets, in a short time the horse will develop a taste for them.  All my horses love this food.

Feed: Free choice grass hay 24/7 (A small amount of Alfalfa hay can help as it is very high in calcium which absorbs stomach acid.  But you shouldn't make it the main type of hay as it was designed for dairy cows, not horses.)

The following can be added to a few cups of hay pellets if desired. 

Medication: AM 1/4, 1/2, or full dose of generic Omeprazole as needed for stomach ulcers

I feel the following are absolutely necessary to heal and maintain the stomach and hind gut:

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (soaked and drained, heals everything including stomach)

1/2 cup dried cabbage (L-Glutamine heals the stomach),  

1/4 cup Oat Flour/Fiber (heals hind gut; see below),   

1 - 2 oz. Probiotics (aids digestion),                

 Foods with vitamins for all horses, if you desire:      

1/2 apple, a few carrots (Vit. A), 1 teaspoon Brewer's Yeast (Vit. B), 1/4 Orange/lemon with peel (Vit. C), 1/8 cup raw almonds (Vit. E).  (Or use the multi-vitamin cookie, Optimum EQ from TheraCellEQ)

  *** I do not feed any grains; corn, oats, barley, etc.  These are hard on an ulcer horse's stomach.

  I also do NOT feed any synthetic vitamins/mineral supplements (most are), processed or concentrated feeds.  Many studies of these have shown that most of these do NOT contain the amounts of supplements they CLAIM are in their feed.  Currently, there is NO regulation for animal feeds and supplements to make sure the labels match what's inside.  Plus most charge from 200% up to 500% of what it costs them to make and package these products.  Basically, you are spending a lot of money on something that may or may not contain the labeled ingredients.

 

 ALWAYS before ride: 2 - 4 cups alfalfa/grass pellets and 20 - 100 cc (up to a 1/4 cup) of Mylanta squirted into mouth with syringe or mixed with pellets.

Shows: Increase to a full dose of Omeprazole at least four days before any show or traveling and continue this through the entire show.  I make sure her stomach is full before riding. Then, I also give her 20 -100 cc of Mylanta right before mounting and before entering the arena. 

 

   Ulcer Theories

      There are a lot of theories about the causes of ulcers and how they should be treated.   Although I agree with them, there is no guarantee that by doing these things, your horse will never have ulcers. 

      First, that horses need food in their gut 24/7.  This is true.  The bottom 2/3 of horse's stomach produces acid to help the digestion of food.  However, the top 1/3 is not meant to have any acid on it.  Because of that, this is where the ulcers occur.  To help with this, it is recommended that you keep grass hay in front of your horse at all times.  The reality is many horses with ulcers do not eat on a regular basis because their stomach hurts.  So merely placing hay in front of them, may not help.  Also, many people board their horse and do not control the feeding process, so again, this may not be possible.  Even if you do have grass hay in front of them 24/7, that, in itself, has never been proven to prevent ulcers, although, it is highly recommended.

      At the 2003 conference of the American Association of Equine Practioners, ulcers were a major topic. One cause of ulcers is the mere act of exercising the horse without enough food in the gut.   Studies have proven this by running a scope into the horse's stomach and then exercising them on a treadmill.  The acid in their stomach did splash up to the top third of the stomach wall causing irritation. However, horses that had food in their gut had less problems as the food combined with the acid to form a paste.  Thus there was less splashing.  I have solved this problem by feeding my horse three or four cups of hay pellets while grooming and tacking her up.  I may also give another 20 - 100 cc of Mylanta/Maalox just before I place the bit in her mouth to help coat the top of the stomach. 

    Second, is that horses are meant to be outside rather than locked up in a stall.   The reality for many horse owners is that they board and these faculties only have stalls.  Also, although most horse owners do turn out their horses on a regular basis, some don't for fear that the horse may injure themselves while playing.  This is a real concern.  An injury can not only lead to expensive vet bills, but the mandatory stall rest and, maybe, the end of their competitive career.  Also, when showing, stalls are the only safe way to bring together a large number of horses.  It is also important to know that ulcers have been found in horses who are kept in a pasture, so again, this, in itself, may not prevent ulcers.

      Third is that reducing stress will cure and prevent ulcers.  While keeping the horse as relaxed as possible is the goal of many riders training program, today's modern athlete has been bred to perform.  Many riders make their living by competing on their horses.  Although we love our horses, their job is to perform.   It is because of this love that many riders want their horses as comfortable as possible and the use of medications to help this process is absolutely necessary.   This is because these highly bred athletes tend to produce more acid than they actually need to digest their food.  Many of them are high strung and often become nervous during work outs and/or competitions.  Think of yourself when you get nervous.  You may develop "butterflies in your stomach."  This is actually caused because your stomach gets tight and starts producing acid.  What do you do? You take something to help relieve the discomfort.  This is the same for your horse.  It is recommended to try and help relax your horse as much as possible whenever possible.

     Fourth, is that ulcers are caused from the bacteria H. pylori.  Although this can be true in people, there has been no evidence that this bacteria exists in horses. 

 

    One last note, if you think your horse might have stomach ulcers, it probably does.  Even if the horse doesn't actually have ulcers, it can still give itself an upset stomach which can cause great pain and unwanted behavior.  Don't wait.  Do something about it today.  Your horse will thank you and you'll both be happier.

   

Hind Gut Health and Colonic Ulcers

       During his presentation at the 2005 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Practice Management Seminar: Focus on Equine Colic, internationally recognized veterinarian Frank Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, discussed the importance of recent research conducted by Franklin Pellegrini, DVM. Pellegrini’s work, published in the March issue of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, sharply highlighted the previously unrecognized frequency and importance of colonic ulcers in horses.  Pellegrini’s findings show that colonic ulceration may be present in up to 63% of performance horses, and 54% of performance horses may have both gastric and colonic ulcers. “Ulcers in the colon can be a significant cause of colic for many horses,” Andrews said. “Dr. Pellegrini’s research reveals just how many horses may be affected, but the trouble is that medications designed to work on stomach ulcers just don’t provide relief or treatment in the colon.” This suggests that an entirely different method of treatment is necessary to help with colonic ulcers than for stomach ulcers.  He recognized probiotics and digestive aids as important tools in helping the many performance horses that may have colon pain. Polar lipids, present in oat fiber, were among the nutrients that Dr. Andrews presented as helping with overall digestive health. These components of oat oil help transport nutrients into the blood stream and support a healthy gut lining. Soluble oat fiber, which supports the immune system, amino acids and yeast extracts were also discussed as important nutrients. 

    If you have ever wormed your horses, used Bute or Banamine, or the horse has stomach ulcers or is under stress for any reason, YOUR HORSE PROBABLY DOES NOT HAVE A HEALTHY HIND GUT and may even have ulcers there.  

    Horses are "Hind Gut" digesters.  They are nonruminant herbivores.  The hind gut is designed to process plant materials by micro organisms (good bacteria) in the fore gut and then digest the food in the hind gut.  That means, if the hind gut is not healthy, they are not getting all the nutrients from the food you are feeding them.  By healing the hind gut, your horse will get more from it's feed, be healthier, perform better, and have less chances of colic. 

    There are things you can feed to help the hind gut and they are not expensive.

     The first is by adding oat flour, not oats, to your horses daily feed. You can go to a local health food store and purchased Oat flour. Or you can order 50 lbs. of oat flour from www.Honeyvillegrain.com . I recommend feeding 1/2 cup a day for 30 days, then 1/4 cup a day after that.  It does take 30 - 90 days to see the results since the hind gut is about 24 feet long.  You can use oat fiber (contains the hulls of the oats).  Some say you need this fiber.  I have tried both and they seem to work equally.  The fiber is about twice as much in cost.

    You should also add a Probiotic to you daily feed.  There are several products out there that contain the good bacteria which your horse must have in order to digest the nutrients out of it's feed.  Lactobacillus Acidophilus is one of the most common used.  These good bacteria are destroyed by wormers, the use of Bute and/or Banamine, treatment of antibiotics, and stress.  I highly recommend Fast Track.  I feed 2 oz. per day.  You can purchase that at FASTRACK Microbials for Horses and Dogs

 

Worming the Ulcer Horse

     Worming the ulcer horse can be a bit tricky.  Try only to worm as few times as possible.  It has been recommended by many vets to only worm 4 times per year in the western US.  Although it may be necessary to worm more often in other parts and depending on the horse's condition.  If you are not sure, you can always do as fecal test and take this to your vet.  There are many different types of wormers and most feel you should rotate them through out the year.  Although the Ivermectin is very effective, I have found that it does seem to cause ulcer horse's some discomfort.  I have used the IM Ivermectrin and found it works well with less digestive problems.  I only use this once a year and only when I can give her 2 weeks to recover.   I have had good success with Pyrantel pamoate and many feel this is one of the better wormers to use with the ulcer horse.  I have also used Fenbendazole with the same success.  Just try to plan to worm during a time when there is little stress and know that you horse will need some time to get everything in it's system back in balance.

Controlling Tension

    If you are having spooking or control issues for any reason, I would highly recommend using the John Lyons "Head level" control method.  You can purchase a DVD from his web site that contains head level, shoulder, and hind end control.  I have used this method and it really works.  Whenever my horse gets afraid, I can now control her head level and thus the spooking.  It's simple, easy to learn, easy to teach to the horse, and gives you a tool to use when things start to go wrong.

   Horses, as all animals, think in either Alpha brain waves (calm), or Beta waves (afraid/tense).  The trick is to try and keep your horses thinking in the Alpha waves.  This is accomplished by controlling the head level.  A high headed horse is thinking in Beta waves.  It is tense and wants to get away from whatever it feels is a danger to it.  (With ulcers horses, this makes them want to get away from the pain in their own stomach.)  By keeping the head at a lower level, the horse goes into Alpha waves and it can relax, even if it's only for a short time.  If you can understand how they are thinking, you can help to try and keep them in Alpha waves longer and longer.  Eventually, this will help in reducing the cause of ulcers, the production of stomach acid.

 

In Conclusion

    Sometimes people think their horse is having training difficulties, when if fact, the horse is in pain.  I have found time and time again, if your horse cannot or will not do something that you think they should be able to do, PUT DOWN THE WHIP, GET OFF, AND START LOOKING FOR A PAIN ISSUE.  It may not be easy to find and you need a good vet to help, but I assure you, once you find it, the horse will work willingly.  It could be sore hocks, stifles, hooves, backs, ovulation in mares, TMJ, or ulcers.  There are very few horses that are bad tempered.  They usually want to please.  Some horses have been in pain for so many years, they have lost all the joy that was once in their souls.  Most of the time, the horse is as frustrated as the rider.

    I have worked with many different breeds and in many different disciplines for over 30 years, and the more I ride the more I believe that horses will work through a tremendous amount of pain.  They are kind animals who seek the approval of the head of the herd, the rider.  But we, as horsemen and women, have a tremendous responsibility to our horses.  We must really listen to our horses.  They cannot talk to us with language, so they must speak with actions.  If you were in pain, and someone was forcing you to do something that hurt, wouldn't you act out?  Once you have looked for a pain issue first and are secure in the knowledge that there is no pain, then continue with the training.

Remember, a qualified Veterinarian is the best help for your horse.  If you have any questions or would like to chat (see Luna Tunes page for contact information),  I will be happy to help in anyway that I can, even if it's just sharing experiences.  I have lived with my ulcer horse for 10 years.  It's a way of life, but one that has taught me true horsemanship.