Managing a horse with ulcers requires a consistent daily routine that prioritizes gastric health. Our editorial team has gathered practical, species-specific advice to help you support your horse’s digestive system while maintaining their overall wellbeing. Because ulcers can cause discomfort and affect behavior and performance, a careful approach to feeding, turnout, and stress reduction is essential for long term management.
Horses with ulcers need a diet that promotes saliva production and buffers stomach acid. This means providing frequent access to forage, limiting grain, and avoiding long periods without food. Additionally, reducing stress through turnout and social interaction can help prevent recurrence. The following sections outline key daily management strategies tailored to horses with this condition.
Feeding Strategies for Ulcer Prone Horses
For horses with ulcers, the cornerstone of daily management is providing free choice or frequent access to good quality forage. Hay or pasture grazing should be available at all times, as chewing stimulates saliva production which naturally buffers stomach acid. Aim for a minimum of 1.5% to 2% of the horse’s body weight in forage per day, divided into multiple small meals if using hay nets.
Concentrates such as grain should be minimized or eliminated, as high starch feeds can increase acid production. If supplemental feed is needed, choose low starch options like beet pulp or alfalfa cubes, which are higher in calcium and protein and can help buffer acid. Avoid feeding large meals; instead, split grain into very small portions if required.
Always provide fresh, clean water. Some horses benefit from adding a small amount of salt to encourage drinking. Remember that sudden changes in diet can exacerbate ulcers, so any adjustments should be made gradually over at least a week.
Turnout and Stress Reduction Techniques
Turnout is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and promote natural grazing behavior in horses with ulcers. Ideally, horses should have 24 hour access to pasture or a large paddock. If stabling is necessary, ensure the horse can see other horses and has access to forage at all times to mimic natural feeding patterns.
Stress is a major trigger for ulcers, so daily management should include a calm, predictable routine. Avoid sudden changes in schedule, transportation, or intense exercise without preparation. If your horse is in training, consider adjusting the workout to include more low intensity exercise and ensure they have forage before and after riding.
Social interaction with other horses is also beneficial. Horses are herd animals, and isolation can increase stress. If turnout with others is not possible, consider a companion animal such as a goat or pony, but ensure the horse can see and touch other horses if at all possible.
Daily Health Monitoring and Environmental Adjustments
Monitoring your horse’s behavior and appetite daily is crucial. Signs of ulcer discomfort include changes in eating habits, such as eating slowly or dropping feed, teeth grinding, girthiness, poor coat condition, and weight loss. Keep a simple log of these observations to track patterns and response to management changes.
Environmental tweaks can also support healing. Ensure the stable is well ventilated but not drafty, and use deep bedding to encourage lying down and resting. Some horses with ulcers benefit from a slow feeder hay net to prolong eating time. Avoid using straw as bedding if the horse might eat it, as straw can be low in nutrients and may cause impaction if consumed in large amounts.
Work closely with your veterinarian to determine if medication is needed, as some cases require a course of omeprazole or other acid suppressants. Always follow your vet’s guidance on dosage and duration, and never use human medications without a prescription. Regular veterinary check ups, including gastroscopy if recommended, can help assess healing and adjust management.