Stomach Ulcers in Horses

Today, more and more frequently, horses are being diagnosed with stomach ulcers. Studies vary on the exact percentage, but it's estimated that at least 60 percent of horses have stomach ulcers. The exact cause of stomach ulcers in horses is unknown, but stress, diet, and medications can contribute to their formation.

Stress can take on many different forms from living conditions to heavy competition or training schedules. Lack of turn out, living in a small, confined space, or lack of companionship from other horses can all be stressful. Also heavy competition schedules are demanding on a horse both physically and mentally.

Horses are designed to constantly be eating. Their stomachs empty when they are approximately two-thirds full. Food is generally only in their stomachs for about 20 minutes. When fed once or twice a day this leaves many hours without food to absorb the acid in the stomach which in turn can lead to stomach ulcers.

Medications such as antibiotics and Bute can lead to the formation of stomach ulcers. Antibiotics kill off bacteria in the intestines, both those that are beneficial and those that are not. The unbalance of bacteria can cause digestive upsets.

Just like aspirin is very hard on a person's stomach, the horse pain reliever Bute is also very hard on their stomachs. Use Bute only when you absolutely have to. Talk to your vet about some of the many alternatives on the market if your horse needs to be on pain medication.

Signs of a stomach ulcer can often be vague or the horse may show no signs at all. Other times the horse may have episodes of repeated colic. For example, one horse at a barn I boarded at colicked every time the weather changed. Repeated bouts of colic can also be signs of enterolith stones. If your horse suffers from repeated colic ask your vet if stomach ulcers or enterolith stones may be a culprit.