Ulcer treatments or other ideas

[Tarragon]

Here is the scenario -
A reasonably fit (ridden daily, 3 to 6 miles - we are doing the Hack 1000 and have done nearly 700 miles since April 1st, just daily local rides at walk and trot), good weight and healthy field-kept pony who is showing none of the classic ulcer symptoms (happy to tack up and groom etc.) but who is possibly holding something back performance wise. Difficult to gauge as only backed late last year and first full year of riding so, it isn't a loss in performance, just trying to work out why he is not as forward as expected for his level of fitness. Vet out for general health check a fortnight ago (everything except bloods or x-rays; full work out:- heart, lungs, eyes and investigation) and found nothing. Teeth done last week. Chiro practitioner out a month ago.
Pony isn't insured and I do not compete. I just want a happy happy-hacker.
Trimmer has suggested ulcers and I thought it was worth a go. It would have to be palatable as the pony isn't really food driven. Any suggestions on ulcer treatments I could try?
It may be that despite the pony being a worrier with a very high sense of self-preservation, he is just that sort of pony, and I will stop worrying and accept him for what he is.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Aloe vera juice can help with ulcers but won't cure them you feed 20 to 40 mls a day syringed or in feed.

The only cure is opremazole and sulcrafate most vets will only prescribe it after a scope.

You can buy it from Abler in the US but it is actually illegal to do so but its much cheaper than buying from the vet if your not insured.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I used aloe vera juice for BB and I fed it at 100mls per day can lower it afterwards if you need to. BB didnt have foregut ulcers but I suspected he had hindgut, which he didnt from the post mortem, however they said that he may have had colitis but aloe vera is harmless anyway
I also used bentonite clay with great success on him.

 

[Tarragon]

Thanks both

 

[Squeak]

I've had really good results with Ron Fields' products.

 

[Landcruiser]

Could it just be because he's in enough work to keep him sane and sensible and maybe a bit tired, if he's relatively newly backed and young? Ulcers seems a bit random.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would try feeding Aloe Vera juice in this scenario. It's a fairly inoffensive taste mixes easily into any feed and I have never heard of any contra-indications. If it helps you could then talk to your vet about ulcers. I have heard of vets prescribing meds without a scope.

 

[Taliesan]

I've had really good results with Ron Fields as well. The pre ulc is pretty palatable but the ulc30ex plus (which you feed after the pre ulc once all symptoms are gone) is less so. His supplements have meant my ex racer, who couldn't cope being touched when I first got him, is now happy to be brushed all over. He's been on the supplements for a long time though and it will take a long time to bring him down to the maintenance levels of them. Years of racing and pain from his back has probably done a number on his guts!

I got my fussy horse to eat it by mixing a bit of apple juice in his feed. Others have had success with things like grated carrot.

Relyne GI is something else I've used in the past that worked (to a point, Ron Fields has worked better for mine long term) and I've seen quite a few positive comments about Monoshield Equine, although this is more from the race yards and it shouldn't be fed with yeast.

My friend uses a mix of slippery elm and marshmallow root, which works well for her two.

I maintain the other one of my horses on 60ml aloe vera at the moment and this seems to keep him happy. He was on the Ron Fields stuff for a long time before that though and I gradually swapped him over about a year ago.

 

[Melody Grey]

@Tarragon I wonder about feet- can lead to them feeling ‘held back’ if they’re a little sore. Is he shod/ are you using hoof boots? Sounds like you’re doing a lot of miles and just wondering if he’s coping.

You describe a young horse- could be that all of his energy is still going onto growing and filling out and there’s not a lot left to give? Could also be that fitness still has a part to play?

 

[SO1]

Peptonil from Trinty consultants smells like cinnamon. Saddle fitter recommended for Bert and he has done well with it. Also combined with physio every 6 weeks and regular saddle checks.

 

[Fieldlife]

Is he barefoot? If so is he the same on soft forgiving ground?

What is his topline and way of going like? Does he have good posture?

You can give a week of 24-7 coated human omezaprole and see if behaviour changes re ulcers. But doesn’t sound like ulcers.

 

[IrishMilo]

Ron Fields definitely. Having seen what it did for a friend's horse before - after scope, it would be the first thing I go to now.

 

[Tarragon]

@Tarragon I wonder about feet- can lead to them feeling ‘held back’ if they’re a little sore. Is he shod/ are you using hoof boots? Sounds like you’re doing a lot of miles and just wondering if he’s coping.

You describe a young horse- could be that all of his energy is still going onto growing and filling out and there’s not a lot left to give? Could also be that fitness still has a part to play?

Ok. He is just 8 years old (foaled in November!) so, I got him when he just turned 6, then backed him in the autumn he turned 7, then started riding this spring. He is very much an immature horse in an older horse body. He is a registered Exmoor pony, and his youth was spent conservation grazing on open moorland.
I have also wondered about general fitness and coping. Riding will have to drop off over winter anyway as I ride before work, so perhaps that will help.
He is not shod, and I have got Explora Magic for all fronts and backs. It has taken me a while to get his rather neglected hooves to where they are now, and I used boots to help transition. I was also curious to see if boots were the missing key, and I still have it in the back of my mind, but it doesn’t make a huge difference.

 

[Tarragon]

Is he barefoot? If so is he the same on soft forgiving ground?

What is his topline and way of going like? Does he have good posture?

You can give a week of 24-7 coated human omezaprole and see if behaviour changes re ulcers. But doesn’t sound like ulcers.

Thank you. You ask about top line. I started him with the help of a friend who studied Philippe Karl French classical training, so, I have tried to get him to hold himself. This is a photo of us. I agree that it doesn’t sound like ulcers, but I am just trying to figure it out

 

[Tarragon]

Ron Fields definitely. Having seen what it did for a friend's horse before - after scope, it would be the first thing I go to now.

I have tried Ron Fields but he wouldn’t eat the pre (can’t remember the name!) sadly.