Gastric ulcers. Opinions and discussion

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palepastry

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Hello!
Im a uni student studying Equine behaviour and training. I am currently conducting research into gastric ulcers.
I was wondering how many times you feed your horses daily? Why you feed them that much? Is it because of the yard regime or personal preference? Do you give them food before they're ridden so they have something in their stomach whilst you ride?
My reason for doing this research is because gastric ulcers are seen as a man-made disease because an undomesticated horse will eat 16hr a day which helps keep the acidity low in the stomach. While a domesticated horse doesn't eat 16hr a day due to being fed at certain times, being stabled, getting feed or hay at certain times during the day, travelling or riding for long periods without any forage. I just wanted to find out peoples views and their practices and if anyone has experienced gastric ulcers in their horses.
Thank you!
 
I think there are plenty of domesticated horses that have access to forage 24/7 so are able to eat or browse for 16 hours a day, mine certainly do, they do not get fed before riding as they have access to hay so should always have a buffer in the stomach.
When out competing they travel with hay, stand with it when on the lorry so the most time without forage is usually no more than an hour or so.
The only horse I have that has required treatment for ulcers was due to stress and drug related issues caused while out of my care in hospital.
 
Thank you be positive, This is what I'm trying to find out about various practices regarding feeding and ulcers. I use to work at a yard where horses were only fed at certain times and were only night hayed with a limited amount of hay (not enough to last the night). I know ulcers can be caused by stress and drug related. Was the drug related non-steriodal anti-inflammatorys by any chance? As I know some vets suggest to avoid (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine or ketoprofen because it can decrease the production of the stomach's protective mucus layer, making it more susceptible to ulcers.
 
palepastry said:
While a domesticated horse doesn't eat 16hr a day due to being fed at certain times, being stabled, getting feed or hay at certain times during the day, travelling or riding for long periods without any forage. I just wanted to find out peoples views and their practices and if anyone has experienced gastric ulcers in their horses.
Thank you!
Click to expand...

So is the basis for your argument that domestic horses don't eat for 16h a day? I'd challenge that a fair proportion do!
Also an undomesticated horse may not have access to quite as much forage over all as our domesticated counter-parts.
Also important to distinguish between 16h physically eating, versus having food in the stomach

But in answer to your question - I have a dressage horse that is a very good doer. She is also naturally forward going with natural energy. Through the winter she is stabled overnight (for convenience) and out in the field for a few hours during the day. So her access to food is as such -
7am - Half a scoop of chaff type feed am (so she fits with yard routine)
If staying in to ride then small haynet, otherwise out by 8
8 - 2/3 out on grass
2/3 - 6pm small haynet
6pm chaff feed
7pm - large overnight haynet - probably not enough to be adlib, but more than adequate for a fatty.
So between 7am and 7pm I would say she has a max of 2-3 hours (in 1-2 hour intervals) when she might not have food in front of her. From 7pm - 7am at a guesstimate max 4-5 hours, although often she will have scraps on the floor that she hasn't finished (so I assume not starved!)

I've never had one diagnosed with GU, have had 2 scoped, both clear. I also, as time goes on become less convinced with the merits of feeding haylage, despite once being a hardened fan.
 
I don't have an argument, it was more to start a discussion and compare different practices (worldwide and different yards). I just wanted opinions and views on peoples various practices and management compared to undomesticated horses. I didn't really distinguish but Im more interested in food in their stomach and by the sounds of it your horse has plenty of which probably buffered the stomach. Thank you for giving me an in-depth idea of how you feed your horse!
 
My horse has had ulcers, took the vets by suprise has she is a health fat shiney horse, only due to behaviour issues that i had her hormones checked all clear then we hadher gastroscoped which came back with lot grade 2 ulcers!!! done lots of research into ulcers please pm me if you want to know more!!! found some amazing stuff that works for horses with glandular ulcers. Also my horses ulcers we think was linked to stress has i feed 3x a day they also have turn out and lots haylage so feeding was not an issue in my horses case, Many think ulcers are caused through bad feeding and the horses are thin,poor and look unhealthy i can show you pictures of my horse when she had ulcers and i think you will be shocked at how healthy she was with them!!! xxxxx
 
Fuzzle, mine was the same, a lot of grade 2 ulcers and yet he looked fab. However he did get very stressed and went downhill when i got him scoped. Very interested in what you are using.

Mine also cribs. He is a 16.1 ISH from Ireland.

He was very girthy and doesnt like rugs being put on. Still doesnt like me touching him on the belly behind the front legs, I think he thinks its going to hurt and still grumpy when rugs are put on however he has TB fur so that may be why. I didnt realise before how sluggish he was when schooling until he has his GG. He is now so much more forward in the school and very trainable. He is obviously happier, still cribs but not as much. I don't think that will ever stop which is a shame, wish I knew why.
He has moved yards and has settled well, 1 mare and 3 geldings, all big horses. A very reasonable amount of grass, 6/7 acres for them :) he lives out when the weather allows or in with ad lib hay, he has loads left haha but id rather that. I found that his feed seemed to be making him uncomfortable, he was on calm and condition and there was a lot of bulk. he is now on a top spec balancer and cool conditioning cubes, he is visibly more comfortable. He has simple system lucie pellets and alfa a oil, both are alfa.

I have seen a lot of people give there horses one hay net thinking that will be ok for the night and after one night looking after a horse that had colic i noticed most of the horses on the yard had run out, this was midnight. So the poor things would have to go until 8am with no feed. That seems to be very common and i actually think its rare that horse owners truly give them ad lib hay. Some breeds are ok with that where as TB types are generally not.
 
Very good post Jo Clarke!!! your bang on with what you say!!! i tie 4 large nets around the stable on the evening so it lasts through the night!! so many people say i over feed but hey after all horses are grazers, so hope your horse is betterxx
 
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