Ulcers - preventative measures

[JCbruce]

Hello I have a super baby horse who is calm as a cucumber. Hes starting to do things this year going to fun rides and in hand shower. Looking for preventative measures to reduce likelihood of ulcers as I am thinking preventative is better then cure.

Obs got the usual chaff before riding but is there anything else I can give him because despite him behaving impeccably when we go places you can see he gets a little ‘worried eye’ when he first comes off the trailer.


Any suggestions will be super helpful thanks.

 

[deicinmerlyn]

PAtient management and training and avoiding stress as much as possible.
most if not all ulcers are caused by pain, stress or poor management.

 

[GreyDot]

Hello I have a super baby horse who is calm as a cucumber. Hes starting to do things this year going to fun rides and in hand shower. Looking for preventative measures to reduce likelihood of ulcers as I am thinking preventative is better then cure.

Obs got the usual chaff before riding but is there anything else I can give him because despite him behaving impeccably when we go places you can see he gets a little ‘worried eye’ when he first comes off the trailer.


Any suggestions will be super helpful thanks.

Be pretty religious about the chaff before riding, or make sure at least they have had some decent hay. Makes such a difference for any acid splash and prevention is defiitely better than cure. As for the worried eye, add some extra time into each journey until you no longer see that worried eye. Use the time to let him look about, smell the air, get accustomed to his surroundings. I'd not try too many different/new venues but concentrate on regular visits to the same one so that he knows what to expect and can build on his confidence.
I've also got a baby horse who will be starting to go out and about this year - very exciting times! Love all the first times with the youngsters

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Protein quick fix or the coligone syringe are really good for traveling it just really settles the stomach.

 

[LEC]

I have an antacid (feedmark)which I feed with chaff before they travel.
Always feed chaff before work.
No starch above 6% in any of their feed.
Ad lib fibre (grass or haylage) at anytime.
Antacid in all their feeds 2x a day and sometimes 3x a day if away from home.
I also swear by a gut balancer which they have every day (max gut health)
2 days off in a row - I tend to do Mondays and Tuesdays.
Hand graze if away from home as much as possible.

 

[canteron]

You could try feeding a mixture of herbs.
The theory is that left to their own devices they would graze on lots of different things - and as in humans, this will support a healthy gut biome and give resistance to any disease including ulcers.
Dodson and Harrell do a hedgerow mix - which mine love - or you can buy your own and mix.
If you search on here you will find more information.

 

[rubyroo_0812]

Hello I have a super baby horse who is calm as a cucumber. Hes starting to do things this year going to fun rides and in hand shower. Looking for preventative measures to reduce likelihood of ulcers as I am thinking preventative is better then cure.

Obs got the usual chaff before riding but is there anything else I can give him because despite him behaving impeccably when we go places you can see he gets a little ‘worried eye’ when he first comes off the trailer.


Any suggestions will be super helpful thanks.

Ponease!

 

[Cates123]

I have an antacid (feedmark)which I feed with chaff before they travel.
Always feed chaff before work.
No starch above 6% in any of their feed.
Ad lib fibre (grass or haylage) at anytime.
Antacid in all their feeds 2x a day and sometimes 3x a day if away from home.
I also swear by a gut balancer which they have every day (max gut health)
2 days off in a row - I tend to do Mondays and Tuesdays.
Hand graze if away from home as much as possible.

My ex-racer is starting to act a bit girthy and the physio thinks I should get him scoped. His behaviour is fine (he's a pretty calm horse) and he keeps weight on but he's becoming more unhappy with touch around his middle and I'm hoping to get it sorted asap. I went through your list and was interested in the 2 days off in a row and the reasons around this. I've always aimed to separate his days off but is this to allow him time to fully relax/destress? Could be an interesting option!
Also, do people wet their chaff before feeding or feed dry? Mine has quite touch alfalfa chaff and I always wet his feeds at meal times.
TIA

 

[LEC]

I feed dry as then it can coat the stomach. It also makes them produce more saliva which also acts as a natural buffer.

The 2 days off in a row is to just keep the stomach as healthy as possible. Just had a Quick Look and nobody says why particularly

‘Increased exercise frequency (days worked per week) rather than intensity (how hard the horse is working in a session) increases the risk of glandular disease. This could be because exercising reduces blood flow to the digestive tract, reducing mucus production and the repair of the lining. It is recommended to give horses at risk of glandular disease two consecutive days off training per week.’

This just says build in rest days - https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/horse-care/gastric-ulcers/

 

[clairebearfur1]

Ponease!

Yes! Was going to say this. My vet recommended it. A syringe before each ride with a soft molasses free chaff on ALL our horses. There digestive systems are so badly put together and acid splashing is such a risk.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I routinely add Aloe Vera juice to bucket feed as an ulcer preventative.

 

[ycbm]

Ditto the aloe.

Check the ingredients for Ponease. Bentonite is fullers earth and lots of people are now seeing interesting results with oily herbs, though Ponease don't say which herbs. Limestone flour is a good source of calcium and an acid buffer. And water is free from a tap.
.

 

[Peglo]

option!
Also, do people wet their chaff before feeding or feed dry? Mine has quite touch alfalfa chaff and I always wet his feeds at meal times.
TIA

My horse will choke on dry chaff so I always wet it with water.

 

[YourValentine]

My ex-racer is starting to act a bit girthy and the physio thinks I should get him scoped. His behaviour is fine (he's a pretty calm horse) and he keeps weight on but he's becoming more unhappy with touch around his middle and I'm hoping to get it sorted asap. I went through your list and was interested in the 2 days off in a row and the reasons around this. I've always aimed to separate his days off but is this to allow him time to fully relax/destress? Could be an interesting option!
Also, do people wet their chaff before feeding or feed dry? Mine has quite touch alfalfa chaff and I always wet his feeds at meal times.

My TB showed some signs if ulcers, but not consistently and my gut was that it wasn't ulcers, and on scoping he was clear.

I tried a Vit E supplements based on some other posts on here, and all the intermittent girthyness, grumps etc have gone and physio can feel a difference in him - muscles much more relaxed.

If you are really concerned about ulcers, scope. But if you're not 100% sure they're the problem might be worth trying a Vit E supplement.

 

[webble]

Ditto the aloe.

Check the ingredients for Ponease. Bentonite is fullers earth and lots of people are now seeing interesting results with oily herbs, though Ponease don't say which herbs. Limestone flour is a good source of calcium and an acid buffer. And water is free from a tap.
.

Interestingly someone suggested them to me and I have messaged them this morning asking for a list of ingredients

 

[Cates123]

My TB showed some signs if ulcers, but not consistently and my gut was that it wasn't ulcers, and on scoping he was clear.

I tried a Vit E supplements based on some other posts on here, and all the intermittent girthyness, grumps etc have gone and physio can feel a difference in him - muscles much more relaxed.

If you are really concerned about ulcers, scope. But if you're not 100% sure they're the problem might be worth trying a Vit E supplement.

He already has Vitamin E 750 IU in his balancer which is fed twice a day so I don't think he'll have a deficiency. How much do you feed your horse? I'm getting him scoped tomorrow and beginning to panic that it's an unnecessary procedure as he's fine just not 100%. I'm going with it's better to know than wonder.....

 

[YourValentine]

About 3000 IU if I understand the packet right. He was getting a bit in his feed but needed more.

Worth trying if the scope is clear.

With scoping at least you will know either way. And us worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[Identityincrisis]

A healthy horse needs 3000IU of NATURAL Vit E per day (it is a lot higher doseage if it is synthetic Vit E )

My horse was scoped because I was suspicious despite only showing tiny signs, he had them but because I caught them early they were very easy to treat.

Some horses are literally screaming they have ulcers and people just bury their heads

 

[Cates123]

As an update, my horse has got grade 2 ulcers and scarring which shows he has had ulcers historically as well - not surprising given he's an ex-racer who did not enjoy the racing life! Much like @Identityincrisis my horse hardly showed any signs rather just some sensitivity. Vet thinks his management is good (in term of being low stress etc....because he's basically a pampered pet) and it's likely more just finding ways to prevent acid splash when working/stressful situations. Aside from the ulcer drugs, I've been recommended a gastric aid powder either just in his feed or in a snack before said stressor begins. He also said that some people give tums tablets as these are easy to administer 'on the go'. More expensive but definitely a handy thing to have in your pocket at shows / camps etc.

Glad I had him scoped and now have a clear plan to move forward, he's such a sweet horse that it's a relief to know we're getting him back on a healthier path!