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Why do Gastric Ulcers appear in horses?

Why do gastric ulcers appear in horses? here is why.

Gastric acid is continuously secreted into the lower area of the horse's stomach.

The glandular area secretes mucous to protect itself from the acid.

The top section of the stomach (squamous area) does not have any protection from the acid produced in the lower part of the stomach.

The top of the stomach relies on there being a physical barrier like high fibre feed in the stomach to stop the acid from the bottom 'splashing up' and damaging it and also on saliva to buffer it and keep the pH close to neutral.

When horses are exercised or become stressed with an empty stomach, the acid from the bottom of the stomach splashes up and damages the squamous mucosa, causing ulcers.

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What are Gastric Ulcers in horses?

Gastric Ulcers in horses are simply open wounds in the stomach.

Ulcers are very common in horses in work with more than 70% of racehorses and more than 90% of endurance horses found to be affected in carious studies.

Leisure and show horses and even horses simply 'at pasture' can also be affected.

Exercise, especially on an empty stomach, low forage diets, extended periods of time without feed, transport, stabling, restricted access to water and stress have all been identified as risk factors.

The risk of the disease increases with time in work.

Ulceration can occur very quickly.

Ulcers can occur in both the upper and lower regions of the stomach.

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Dietary Management with PSSM in horses

Dietary management with PSSM in horses is very important to understand. Reducing the amount of starch and sugar in the diet of horse's with PSSM is the most effective way to stop episodes of tying-up. To do this -

Use low sugar, low starch forages as the base of the diet.

Do not feed any cereal grain or grain by-product (wheat, oats, barley, corn, rice, sorghum, triticale, rye, and by-products like pollard and bran)

Use additional oil and high energy fibres to add additional calories to the diet when needed.

Make sure all vitamin and mineral requirements are met, paying particular attention to selenium, vitamin E and the electrolyte minerals (sodium, chloride and potassium)

 

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