Gastric Ulcer
You know or suspect that a horse has Gastric Ulcers?
Basically we would like to point out that we do not want to replace Veterinary treatment, nor are we allowed to do so. When in doubt, please ask your Veterinary on for advice, we will gladly cooperate with the Vet of your choice.
One thing is certain, when the horse has gastric ulcers it needs fast and above all effective treatment. Specific medication in this instance is not sufficient, also active ingredients like Omeprazole, Cimectin and Ranitidin are on the FN positive list and thereby will soon be on the FEI positive list, and rightly so. Through our engagement in racing and international competition, we have (sadly) a lot of experience with horses suffering from gastric ulcers.
Healing Gastric Ulcers, especially curative measures ALWAYS depends upon
several different factors. Just administering supplements will not provide
a long term solution, as the entire management of the horse along with the
diet must be taken into consideration.
The following method is an effective and supportive step forward:
Give the horse 100gr. Gastric Firewall for about 14 days and if possible, the following “easy feed”
In such cases, a mixture of Beet Pulp (we recommend Speedy Beet or Quick Beet),
Oat flakes, and Linseed or Rapeseed Oil gives you a mixture which is high
in energy.
This has many advantages. On one hand, we can reduce the feed, and on the
other the ingredients protect the stomach mucosa. The Oat flakes with water
and oil build a slime containing BETA Glucane which covers the stomach mucosa.
Oats is rich in BETA Glucane, in the form of Oat flakes the concentration
is much higher as the spelt is gone.
Pectines from Beet Pulp form a gel together with acids, calcium ions and sugar.
This reacts with the slime of the stomach mucosa and stabilizes it.
“Easy feeding” is not sufficient in most cases but it does not
provoke the stomach.
For the evening feed, we recommend the use of 100gr. Inside Out for 6 weeks:
In this way, with a suitable diet (see further information) and management,
the problem could be dealt with within 4 – 6 weeks.
It is recommended to give such horses Gastric Firewall prophylactically, in
certain instances (transport, stress, stress etc.), even when the problem
has been dealt with. In this way, a massive problem can be prevented.
To deal with Gastric Ulcers, we first need to learn about them. However, the enemy we know is less dangerous!
Are gastric ulcers a "homemade" problem?
Should a horse have gastric ulcers or other stomach problems, it is not as
unusual as we would think. About 80% - 85% of all horses suffer from such
problems. Gastric ulcers however, are not to be taken lightly. The further
development and regeneration of every organism is directly connected to the
supply of nutrients.
How do gastric ulcers occur?
One extensively discussed cause is stress, but it is simply a catalyst, whereas
in more important cause would be dietary induced stress and "homemade" common
ailments. Modern nutrition tends to follow human preferences (flavour of the
month!) and not equine nutritional needs. To answer the question we must also
ask about the self defence mechanisms of the horse, and this in turn will
tell us how gastric ulcers are caused. These self defence mechanisms are also
the key to solving such problems.
- We must realise that the horse, by nature, is a continuous eater which constantly produces gastric acid.
- To protect against gastric acid and against protein digesting enzymes like pepsin (self digesting own stomach mucosa), the stomach mucosa are covered in a slime made of water, ions and glycoproteins.
- Saliva produced by the chewing process is rich in sodium bicarbonate, which helps to buffer the gastric acid in the stomach. Increased chewing produces more saliva and thereby more sodium bicarbonate. So, producing more saliva increases protection against the "self-digestion".
- Because protection against gastric acid is dependent upon the amount of chewing, the horse needs to chew 3,000 to 3,500 times per kg of hay eaten and produces 3 to 5 litres of saliva to buffer the gastric acid. One kg of concentrates (grain ration / nuts) needs to be chewed only 800 to 1,200 times per kg food. This is how the saliva production sinks to about 1 to 1.5 litres per kg hard feed. The gastric acid is then not sufficiently buffered and a gastric ulcer provoked and existing ulcers cannot heal.
- A further problem which contributes to gastric acid is the time that the food takes to pass through the stomach. Hay is chewed intensively and therefore there is sufficient saliva present producing enough sodium bicarbonate. Even when the dry matter content of the hay is higher, the stomach is supplied in a better, looser, more lubricated manner.
- Because of this, hay has a much shorter passage through the stomach than concentrates (hard feed). The reason being that saliva production is up to 200% higher with hay than with hard feed and also the intake of water is also noticeably higher. The stomach empties itself continually and the risk of gastric ulcers is reduced.
- Hard feed (concentrates, nuts etc.) are eaten faster and with lower saliva production, there is less sodium-bicarbonate present then with hay and simultaneously the water intake is lower. So, in this instance food takes longer to travel trough the stomach, stomach takes longer to empty itself and the risk of gastric ulcers is higher.
- In general, stomach protection from a medical point of view is quite a complex affair, however the processes shown here are the ones we can directly deal with on dietary bases.
- If an inappropriate diet adapts itself to other forms of stress, this can quickly turn into a major problem.
The most important rule of all is to pay tribute to the nature of the horse.
The horse is a "forager" by nature and horses need noticeably less hard feed than we think. Many horses which only have maybe 1 hour or so daily exercise (light exercise), need little or no grain ration, i. e. a homeopathic measure of oats in order to hide important minerals and vitamins.
- When feeding your horse it is important to feed enough hay, and also to feed it well in advance of hard feed. Try to avoid feeding both together, as this practise may save on time and staff wages, but it will veterinary costs.
- The best solution is to feed hay ad lib. This continuous supply of hay will have the horse chewing continuously, as opposed to hard feed.
- Avoid long periods between feed times (long fasting periods), as within a few hours of feeding and chewing, the acidity levels in the stomach rise sharply.
- Avoid pellets / nuts as a form of hard feed because they compress in stomach,
much stronger than normal grain rations, they take longer to travel trough
the stomach and therefore are more liable to cause gastric ulcers.
- There is a lot of hype surrounding substances like Omeprazole, but in our opinion the disadvantages far outweigh any possible benefits.
- The treatment of gastric ulcers depends on raising PH levels.
- Symptomatic treatment is not necessarily a long term solution. A particular medication allowed under FEI rules, containing the above mentioned substance, advertises that the production of gastric acid can be reduced by 99%. In acute cases could possibly be a blessing. Our opinion would be that Omeprazole, in acute cases and for limited period, could be useful, allowing the horse a sigh of relive.
- However, we must ask ourselves what the function of gastric acid is and what are the side effects of its suppression.
- Firstly, when the nutritional mash is not properly pre-processed, then fermentation problems could provoke pressure or colics in the stomach.
- Furthermore the digestion of proteins and starches is limited, which could lead to large quantities of undigested starch reaching the large intestine. Here is where fermentation problems caused by starches create more lactic acid, disturbing the acid - base balance. Digestion (cellulose / pectin) is negatively influenced and the synthesis of vitamins and utilisation of trace elements is hampered.
- At the end of it all, liver & kidney function suffers because of toxic concentrations.
- If too much undigested protein reaches the large intestine, then the metabolism is put under much more pressure. The ammonia concentration rises, through the bloodstream the ammonia reaches the liver, where it is catabolised into urea and is excreted via the kidneys. (Scientific research indicates that urea could be one of the main causes of arthritic conditions) Once again the liver and kidneys are under pressure, as ammonia is a highly toxic substance.
- Furthermore Gastric acid serves as a disinfectant for the horse, as unwanted germs and bacteria from the feed are killed off by it.
- With this in mind, should we really be interested in the long term health of the horse, certain medications, e. g. Omeprazole or similar substances can only have a short term benefit, if any at all. If such medication is reduced and the horse is not on appropriate diet, then the horse will once again have problems with gastric ulcers.
- The only real way to free a horse from gastric ulcers, is to keep his feed as close to nature as possible, which will set his natural defence mechanism in progress.
- The first and most important measure is for the hard feed (concentrates) to be reduced to a minimum, and to feed good quality forage (i. e. hay, haylage) around the clock.
- In many cases, there is no need to cut out the grain ration completely. A high energy ration can be made from three easily obtainable ingredients. A mixture of beet pulp, Oat flakes and rapeseed oil constitutes a high energy grain ration.
- The advantages here are that you can feed less (less concentrates, more forage) and it is a diet which contains mucosa protecting properties. The oat flakes with water and oil build a slime, which is high in ß Glucane, which protects the stomach mucosa. Oats are high in ß Glucane, and in the form of oat flakes there is a higher concentration, because of the absence of spelt.
- Pectin in beet pulp forms a gel together with acids, calcium ions, and sugar. This gel reacts with the slime of the stomach mucosa and stabilizes it. Furthermore these pectins bind acids and pepsin and lead to an eventual rise in the PH values in the stomach. The oat flakes should in this case be mixed with rapeseed oil to avoid wind. The Omega 3 fatty acids in rapeseed oil also have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Try out the following mixture, 500 g beet pulp (dry matter) soaked in water, 500 g oat flakes from the supermarket and 200 g rapeseed oil. The energy content of this mixture is approx 21.9 Mj. Some feed companies would sell you this as a super high performance mix for at least four times the price!!!
- If our FTS Inside - Out is given to accompany this ration, then this will positively contribute against pain and inflammation. FTS Inside - Out stabilizes the sensitive flora of the large intestine and caecum with colony building live bacteria and increases the uptake of forage derived nutrients. In acute cases FTS Gastric Firewall can be used in conjunction with this. The horse can regenerate faster when digestive function is improved.
When a horse is so "down" that he simply will not eat because of gastric ulcers, then Omeprazole or something similar could be used until the horse starts to eat somewhat better. However, one should avoid letting the situation get this far out of hand anyway.