Yes, horses with ulcers can be more difficult to handle, as the discomfort from gastric ulcers often leads to behavioral changes. Our editorial team notes that pain and irritation from ulcers can cause a normally calm horse to become irritable, resistant to work, or even aggressive.
Understanding the link between ulcers and behavior is key to managing your horse. While not every difficult horse has ulcers, if your horse shows signs like girthiness, reluctance to move forward, or a changed attitude at feeding time, ulcers could be a contributing factor that requires veterinary attention.
How Ulcers Affect Horse Behavior
Gastric ulcers cause a burning sensation in the stomach lining, similar to heartburn in humans. This chronic pain can make a horse anxious, irritable, and less willing to cooperate, especially during tacking up, riding, or grooming.
Common behavioral changes include pinning ears, swishing the tail, biting or kicking when the girth is tightened, and a reluctance to bend or collect. Some horses become dull and depressed, while others may become spooky or reactive. The pain often worsens during exercise, leading to poor performance and resistance.
Recognizing Ulcer Related Discomfort in Horses
Horses with ulcers may show subtle signs beyond behavior. Look for poor appetite, especially for hay, while still eating grain. Weight loss, dull coat, and mild colic symptoms like lying down more than usual can also occur.
Other indicators include excessive salivation, teeth grinding, and a tendency to stretch out as if to relieve belly pain. If you notice your horse frequently looking at its flank or exhibiting a poor attitude during training, consider consulting a veterinarian for a gastroscopy diagnosis.
Dietary Management for Horses with Ulcers
Diet plays a critical role in managing ulcers. Horses are designed to graze nearly constantly, and long periods without forage increase stomach acidity. Providing free choice hay or pasture reduces ulcer risk and helps soothe existing ulcers.
Avoid high starch grains and sugary feeds, as they can worsen acidity. Instead, opt for a forage based diet with alfalfa hay, which has natural buffering properties due to its calcium content. Feed small, frequent meals and always ensure access to clean water.
Husbandry Changes to Support Healing
Reducing stress is essential for ulcer recovery. Turnout with companions allows natural grazing and social interaction, which lowers cortisol levels. If stabling is necessary, use deep bedding and provide a hay net to encourage trickle feeding.
Avoid intense exercise on an empty stomach; feed hay before work to create a protective forage mat in the stomach. Also, minimize transport stress by offering hay during travel and ensuring proper ventilation.
Working with Your Veterinarian for Ulcer Treatment
Only a veterinarian can definitively diagnose ulcers using gastroscopy. Treatment typically involves medications to reduce stomach acid, such as proton pump inhibitors, along with supportive care. Follow your vet’s dosing instructions precisely, as underdosing can lead to treatment failure.
Monitor your horse’s behavior closely during treatment. Improvement in attitude and performance often indicates healing. However, ulcers can recur, so long term management with diet and stress reduction is necessary to prevent relapse.