Ron Fields - ulcers

[canteron]

Anyone following my post will know that my horse is being treated for glandular ulcers through tradition vet scoping and injections - early signs are good, the horse is definitely moving more easily which I can see just from watching in the field.

Having done the Dr Google research, Ron Fields has come up, and I think people on here have used his products and ulcer test - with any success? I can’t believe if it works it hasn’t been taken up by the veterinary profession, on the other hand scoping and the injections are pretty brutal and if there was a kinder alternative it would be amazing and I guess if it’s been around for a decade maybe it has some merit?

I know humans can manage ulcers through diet, but can horses?

 

[Bobthecob15]

He's based in my local area and I've met loads of people locally who absolutely rave about them! It's definitely worth trying, a pony at our yard did try them before she had a scope but they made little difference for her...so she had the scope and the omeprazole injections which did get them cleared up.

However I do know people who successfully use them, so I suspect it depends on type of ulcer and severity?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I tried it and it didnt work for me

 

[dixie]

I tried the powder and my horse had a significant improvement.
The Omeprazole made him worse!

 

[Zoeypxo]

Tried it made no difference
The ONLY thing that worked was removing what was causing the ulcers - hock pain

 

[LEC]

The test is bullshit. Antacids are a thing but don’t heal ulcers.

 

[Squeak]

I haven't tried the test but his Ulcer supplements worked really well on my horse.

 

[AandK]

My horse was treated and cleared with omeprazole. Did try RF supps but they didn't appear to make any difference.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think RF is a good company and they make good products, however they are just a supplement and not a real medication which is what some ailments need.
It just all depends how bad something is etc at to which treatment may or may not give results.
If the injections are not nice can you try the syringes? Must horses accept them quite readily.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Ron fields is no replacement for medication.

I cleared my mares ulcers with omeprazole syringes and weaned her off it very slowly and they've never returned. We went to see Tom Beech at one point and he raves about Ron Fields so I contacted Ron and couldn't have been more unimpressed!

As for this question 'I know humans can manage ulcers through diet, but can horses?'

The problem with horses (unlike people) is they produce stomach acid constantly which is why they are more at risk to ulcers and also why they're harder to treat.
To me the kindest thing to do is treat the ulcers and a supplement won't do that.

Eta and the key is to find out why they got ulcers in the first place.

 

[canteron]

………
Eta and the key is to find out why they got ulcers in the first place.

I am going through a huge learning curve - it seems a bit is known about squamous ulcers, but glandular ulcers, why they get them, etc, doesn’t seem to be acid splashing related (due to where they are) and tbh there doesn't seem much research has been done into them, except they are probably more common than realised.

We are using the (horrible) injections rather than the syringes, as apparently that is more successful for glandular ulcers.

Maybe the Ron Fields products are useful if used topically, ie when we start to up the work again? Who knows!!

 

[Bellaboo18]

My mare also had glandular ulcers.

Wherever the ulcers, they're still harder to heal (than in people) because of the environment of a horses stomach. I'd argue there's quite a bit known about both types of ulcers now.

The injections are thought to be better than the syringes for both types, I wonder why you think the injections are so horrible?

A supplement can help alleviate the symptoms but can't treat the ulcers which is why some people may see *some* improvement.

I'd put my house on the fact the ulcers have been caused by pain.

 

[hock]

I’ve never heard of him but I’m firmly in the “ulcers are usually symptoms of pain” camp and unless the cause is treated they’re going to come back.

 

[canteron]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

 

[canteron]

Bellaboo what do you think caused your mares ulcers?

 

[Zoeypxo]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

I treated ulcers 3 times in a period of around 9 months, each time she scoped clear after 8 wks omeprazole and Sucralfate.
Then within weeks the symptoms would return, back for another scope, ulcers again.
Had a standard lameness work up and back x rays all ok.
Eventually had to send her to horspital for full lameness work up with nerve blocks etc with specialist.
They found she was ever so slightly shorter striding RH - x rayed hock found mild changes. Treated with steroid injections. Next scope clear and never returned. I scoped her again 2-3 years later for a seperate problem and her stomach was clean as a whistle.
Never had any symptoms of ulcers since keeping up with yearly hock injections.
A very expensive year that was! Luckily she had insurance at the time. I think i used the whole 5k

Ulcers generally come hand in hand with lameness or pain.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Bellaboo what do you think caused your mares ulcers?

Pain/psd I took her on as a rescue, knowing there were issues.

In my opinion it's always pain in a well kept, hobby horse.

 

[Bellaboo18]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

It's a well known link, pain and ulcers. I'm surprised your vet hasn't said.

 

[gunnergundog]

Back in 2016 (?) when I was dealing with a horse with ulcers I tried Ron Fields and it had no effect whatsoever. I then discovered that he was paying people for testimonials. Call me cynical, but.....

Ha! Just googled him and discovered this seems to have evolved into what he now calls a 'Recommend our products and earn 20% on every sale' scheme! I guess this accounts for some of the glowing reports!

 

[canteron]

I will chat to my vet - but pain and squamous ulcers, yes. Glandular ulcers???? There really is very little quality research.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I will chat to my vet - but pain and squamous ulcers, yes. Glandular ulcers???? There really is very little quality research.

Ask your vet but yes glandular ulcers.

 

[Bobthecob15]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

A horse on our yard had them 4 times, she didn't seem bothered at all?

 

[Bellaboo18]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

Ah I see what you mean, I'd say far better than the pain of ulcers though

 

[gunnergundog]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

Yes, the injection is 'thick'. but my vet was happy for me to administer as an experienced horsewoman, albeit lay person...it really isn't that bad.
Yes again..... not just an interesting thought, but a proven one, that ulcers are generally secondary to something else, be it pain, stress or whatever.

 

[poiuytrewq]

The injection is really thick, so difficult for the vet to ‘push’ into the horse - it’s not a normal liquid injection. It can be helped by warming it up but still isn’t free flowing.

Interesting the thought the ulcers are a secondary issue.

I think ulcers are often a secondary issue aren’t they?
Unless management is just really wrong.
I’d really try the paste.
Also as someone above mentioned the weaning off omeprazole is vital, imo I’d do it slower than the vets advise.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I will chat to my vet - but pain and squamous ulcers, yes. Glandular ulcers???? There really is very little quality research.

Mine had both

 

[expanding_horizon]

The test is bullshit. Antacids are a thing but don’t heal ulcers.

Test? Ron field’s recommends a series of supplements one after another for few hundred pounds to treat ulcers and create healthy gut.

Didn’t make any difference to the horse I tried it on.

 

[expanding_horizon]

Ask your vet but yes glandular ulcers.

I thought gastric ulcers can be caused by pain / stress /poor diet.

Glandular ulcers causes not well understood. Not been strongly linked to pain elsewhere.

 

[Bellaboo18]

I thought gastric ulcers can be caused by pain / stress /poor diet.

Glandular ulcers causes not well understood. Not been strongly linked to pain elsewhere.

Glandular ulcers are a type of gastric ulcer.
Are you thinking of hind gut ulcers?

 

[ycbm]

Anyone following my post will know that my horse is being treated for glandular ulcers through tradition vet scoping and injections - early signs are good, the horse is definitely moving more easily which I can see just from watching in the field.

Having done the Dr Google research, Ron Fields has come up, and I think people on here have used his products and ulcer test - with any success? I can’t believe if it works it hasn’t been taken up by the veterinary profession, on the other hand scoping and the injections are pretty brutal and if there was a kinder alternative it would be amazing and I guess if it’s been around for a decade maybe it has some merit?

I know humans can manage ulcers through diet, but can horses?

If he was mine I would have him on 50ml a day of aloe vera juice from now on. Aloe has been tested and definitely does resolve and prevent ulcers in many horses. Sold on ebay at £35 for 5 litres, so a damned sight cheaper than the proprietary ulcer supplements, too.
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