New to (potential) ulcers - stop hard feed until scoped?

[Love]

Please excuse my current lack of knowledge surrounding ulcers - have been lucky enough to so far not have to deal with them.

Very quick background. 19 year old gelding, owned for 15 years. We relocated for husbands job in the summer so an unavoidable yard move. Allrounder but mostly a happy hacker these days. Routine largely the same as old yard - out 24/7 in summer, out every day in winter and in overnight with ad lib hay.

He’s a bit of a secret stresser and think the move has been more stressful for him than first thought after being very settled at old yard for 8 years.

Called vet out last week for mild colic which came on after eating evening hard feed. It did actually seem to resolve itself before vet arrived but they still gave painkillers and Discussed that ulcers could be a suspect, especially given the stress of the move, and that if it wasn’t a one off colic that we could go down the scoping route.

He has Since been ok until this evening where he rolled a few times in stable after eating his hard feed again (not normal for him at all). Then went back to being totally normal. Booking him in to be scoped as soon as I can next week.

His feed is topchop lite chaff, baileys lo-cal balancer and superflex senior and has been for years and years with no issues. In the past week started him on protexin acid ease on vet’s advice.

A quick google says both the chaff and balancer are suitable for ulcers but seeing as both times the discomfort seemed to be brought on by his feed, should I stop all hard feed until he is scoped? Would mean having to stop the acid ease however which I’m hoping is making him more comfortable for the time being. Not really sure if hard feed can trigger ulcer discomfort or if it’s a coincidence. I know this isn’t he cause of the ulcers but wondering if it could be exacerbating the current discomfort

Thanks in advance

Edited to add: didn’t mention before as wasn’t sure it was relevant but since reading around the subject I’ve seen it mentioned that hock issues can lead to ulcers? He has in the past month been treated with arthramid (repeat - first lot 2 years ago) in hocks due to mild arthritis

 

[LEC]

Please excuse my current lack of knowledge surrounding ulcers - have been lucky enough to so far not have to deal with them.

Very quick background. 19 year old gelding, owned for 15 years. We relocated for husbands job in the summer so an unavoidable yard move. Allrounder but mostly a happy hacker these days. Routine largely the same as old yard - out 24/7 in summer, out every day in winter and in overnight with ad lib hay.

He’s a bit of a secret stresser and think the move has been more stressful for him than first thought after being very settled at old yard for 8 years.

Called vet out last week for mild colic which came on after eating evening hard feed. It did actually seem to resolve itself before vet arrived but they still gave painkillers and Discussed that ulcers could be a suspect, especially given the stress of the move, and that if it wasn’t a one off colic that we could go down the scoping route.

He has Since been ok until this evening where he rolled a few times in stable after eating his hard feed again (not normal for him at all). Then went back to being totally normal. Booking him in to be scoped as soon as I can next week.

His feed is topchop lite chaff, baileys lo-cal balancer and superflex senior and has been for years and years with no issues. In the past week started him on protexin acid ease on vet’s advice.

A quick google says both the chaff and balancer are suitable for ulcers but seeing as both times the discomfort seemed to be brought on by his feed, should I stop all hard feed until he is scoped? Would mean having to stop the acid ease however which I’m hoping is making him more comfortable for the time being. Not really sure if hard feed can trigger ulcer discomfort or if it’s a coincidence.

Thanks in advance

The chaff should help ulcers as provides a stalky buffer. I doubt it's the hard food if been on it for years as one thing which is consistent. Very likely to be something else going on. I would be more inclined to look at what eating rest of time - grass/fibre as more likely to be an issue.

 

[Love]

Thank you @LEC. Do you mean more how much grass and fibre he is getting or the change due to the move? Sorry if I’m missing an obvious point

Also edited to add in my original post - didn’t mention before as wasn’t sure it was relevant but since reading around the subject I’ve seen it mentioned that hock issues can lead to ulcers? He has in the past month been treated with arthramid (repeat - first lot 2 years ago) in hocks due to mild arthritis

 

[deicinmerlyn]

It’s unlikely anything to do with the feed.
Pain and stress can lead to ulcers. If he is anticipating food and has an empty stomach the acid will burn and hurt.
Does he have ad-lib forage.
Look up Dr Ben Sykes, for information. He is an expert. lots on YouTube and Google.

 

[Love]

It’s unlikely anything to do with the feed.
Pain and stress can lead to ulcers. If he is anticipating food and has an empty stomach the acid will burn and hurt.
Does he have ad-lib forage.
Look up Dr Ben Sykes, for information. He is an expert. lots on YouTube and Google.

I know the feed isn’t the cause of the ulcers but was wondering if it’s exacerbating the discomfort like you’ve explained with the anticipation.

He has ad lib hay when in and I have always made sure he’s not given his tea on an empty stomach/without having hay first as he is the type that will bolt it if given the chance. Thank you for the recommendation will check that out

 

[Fastasflames]

stalky chaffs although great for reducing ulcer risk by causing a fibre mat can actually irritate existing ulcers.. if you know he has ulcers try keeping it fibre based with soaked grass nuts / fibre cubes etc