Ulcers

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MyLuckyStar

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Could someone please tell me the signs of ulcers in a horse?

A friends daughters pony is quite 'tetchy' to groom in places (at the back end of his rib cage, his flanks etc) - he doesn't kick but will swish his tail, lift his leg and pull faces.

He sometimes swishes his tail when ridden if he's been kicked on or tapped with a crop. He is otherwise good to ride though. He is 19 now and just hacked, with the occasional short schooling sesison.

He was on the thinner side when they had him but he is putting weight on slowly. He is fed pink powder senior, alpha beet and safe & sound (he's previously had laminitis)
 
Without a gastroscope it is difficult to detect ulcers in the stomach. However, there are ways of assessing that your horse might be prone, or showing signs of ulcer formation in his stomach. Horses who are kept stabled for long hours, eat a high grain diet, work hard and regularly travel are fairly high risk, especially if they are of a stressy, highly strung nature. There are also characteristic behaviour patterns that may indicate the possibility of a stomach ulcer. These habits include: box walking, wind sucking, crib biting, a ‘cold back’ or displaying irritability when being girthed up, a poor attitude or unwillingness to work, whilst a dull coat or loose droppings can also be tell tail signs.
Try NAF GastriAid, mine have not just improved inside but look fantastic on the outside!
 
There is a video on the internet somewhere showing 3 pressure points you can use to give an indication of stomach ulcers, but different horses have different symptoms.

Mine, started being sluggish, girthy and generally a grump... then he chucked me off, very unlike him!

He hasnt been scoped (on the advise of my Vet) and is on a course of GastroGuard at the moment, the differece in him is amazing, am so pleased!
 
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