Mash for horses with ulcers?

[Alicat10]

Hi, I have a 13yo ISH mare who was treated successfully earlier this year for both squamous & non-squamous ulcers - with a course of 5x omeprazol injections followed by several months using sucralfate. Unfortunately, although still on sucralfate & a gastric supplement I suspect the ulcers are back as she’s become extremely girthy, difficult on the ground & unpredictable Uber saddle - all the same symptoms as before the ulcers were treated. I have her on baileys ease & excel but I’m wondering whether a mash would help her more as they look to have higher fibre & lower starch than the mixes. Looking at rowan barberys extra ready mash (32% fibre) or even pink mash which is 40%. Both have much lower starch than the baileys - I’ll lose the oil content but could replace with rapeseed / sunflower oil easily. Anyone else with ulcery horses use either of these or any other mash? Tia x

 

[kblanch0998]

A mash wouldn't hurt considering the high fiber. You can also try Outlast by Purina. There are hundreds of thousands of positive reviews all over the internet on this product. I myself have had really good luck with my mare when I had her on it. I do notice a huge difference. You could also do a fiber beet with/without molasses. That is extremely high in fiber. Lastly, alfalfa would be a good option as well if you have access to it. Just like outlast, alfalfa aids as a buffer in the horses stomach and keeps the acidity levels down.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would want to know why the ulcers have returned. They are often in response to pain elsewhere

 

[shortstuff99]

I would also look at equidgel which is very good for horses with sensitive digestion.

 

[Alicat10]

A mash wouldn't hurt considering the high fiber. You can also try Outlast by Purina. There are hundreds of thousands of positive reviews all over the internet on this product. I myself have had really good luck with my mare when I had her on it. I do notice a huge difference. You could also do a fiber beet with/without molasses. That is extremely high in fiber. Lastly, alfalfa would be a good option as well if you have access to it. Just like outlast, alfalfa aids as a buffer in the horses stomach and keeps the acidity levels down.

Thank you, I’ll have a look at that.

 

[Alicat10]

I would want to know why the ulcers have returned. They are often in response to pain elsewhere

Yes it’s a bit of a puzzle as had back x rayed & ovaries scanned & nothing found. But she’ll has only been with me 10m & had been passed round a bit - she can be extremely stressy even with keeping routine completely consistent & I wonder if the stress on its own could cause the recurrence.

 

[daydreamer]

Yes it’s a bit of a puzzle as had back x rayed & ovaries scanned & nothing found. But she’ll has only been with me 10m & had been passed round a bit - she can be extremely stressy even with keeping routine completely consistent & I wonder if the stress on its own could cause the recurrence.

I don't really know enough to comment on the feed situation but just wanted to suggest you try the Masterson method bladder meridian with her. It won't "cure" anything but it might just help her be a bit less stressy and it should improve your relationship together. It's also fun for horse and human!

 

[Chianti]

Mine has recently scoped almost clear from ulcers. He has further treatment and is now on Pink Mash as part of his feed. This was recommended by a nutritionist. He became very grumpy and spooky with the ulcers so i will know what to look for. You do need to try to track down the cause otherwise it's a never ending cycle. I had an osteopath to look at him but she couldn't find anything that would have made them pain related. He had was diagnosed but after treatment they reoccurred. I thought the first batch were due to lack of fibre and this was addressed but when they returned I suspected stress. He'd had several changes of paddock and field companion during that period which I think might have affected him.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would add Aloe Vera juice to whatever you decide to feed him. IME it works to neutralise the acid and keep the horse comfortable.

 

[meleeka]

I fed Allen & Page Soothe and Gain and it was fantastic, even in low quantities.

 

[carnivalg]

i feed Allen and page soothe and gain and it’s fantastic. My mare would not eat any other mash and she is thriving on this. I did also feed ease and excel but she was sharp on this. I feed her a pro fibre chaff from spillers along with soothe and gain and it’s been So good for her. Is your mare turned out much, stabling ulcer prone horses can be tricky as they ideally really need as lib forage. Do you feed before riding too? To “eliminate the splash?” My mares ulcers returned after I had her on individual turnout even tho she looked fine and was not stressed on the outside, inside she was stressing hence why they returned. Good luck