Understanding Equine Ulcers: Supporting Your Horse’s Gastrointestinal Health

As horse owners, we know when something’s not quite right with our equine partners. Maybe your usually eager eater is leaving hay behind, or that once-willing athlete has become grumpy under saddle. These subtle changes can be easy to brush off, but they may be your horse’s way of telling you they’re uncomfortable—possibly due to something as common as gastric ulcers.

At Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley, we’ve seen firsthand how gastrointestinal issues, especially equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), can affect even the toughest horses. Whether you ride for pleasure or performance, understanding what ulcers are, how they show up, and what you can do to help makes all the difference in keeping your horse happy and healthy.

What Causes Equine Ulcers?

Ulcers form when the lining of your horse’s stomach becomes irritated or damaged by excess acid. Unlike people, horses produce stomach acid all day long—even when they’re not eating. In a natural grazing environment, they’re constantly nibbling on forage, which helps buffer that acid. But in today’s world of structured feeding, high-energy diets, and training routines, the modern horse’s lifestyle can disrupt that natural balance.

Some common ulcer triggers include:

High-grain, low-forage diets

Rigorous training or competition

Frequent hauling or changes in the environment

Long stretches without access to hay or grass

Use of NSAIDs like Bute for pain management

We see ulcers especially often in performance horses, but they can affect horses of all ages and activity levels.

What Do Equine Ulcers Look Like?

Horses are incredibly stoic, so it’s not always obvious when they’re uncomfortable. But you know your horse better than anyone—and sometimes those small changes speak volumes.

Here are some signs we often associate with ulcers:

Loss of appetite or suddenly becoming a picky eater

Weight loss or a drop in body condition

A dull coat or poor topline

Irritability or changes in attitude

Girthiness or discomfort when grooming

Resistance under saddle or poor performance

Mild, recurrent colic symptoms

If these behaviors sound familiar, trust your instincts. It’s worth investigating.

How Do We Diagnose Ulcers in Horses?

The only way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers is with a gastroscopy—a simple procedure where we use a small camera to look inside your horse’s stomach. It may sound intimidating, but it’s safe, minimally invasive, and gives us a clear picture of what’s going on.

We’re proud to offer mobile gastroscopy here at Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley, so we can perform the procedure at your barn with as little stress as possible for both you and your horse. This allows us to identify exactly where the ulcers are and how severe they might be—so we can make a treatment plan that actually works.

What Does Treatment for Ulcers in Your Horse Look Like?

If your horse is diagnosed with ulcers, the good news is that most respond very well to treatment—and many show signs of improvement in just a few weeks.

Our treatment approach typically includes:

Proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, which reduce stomach acid

Protective medications, such as sucralfate, to soothe and coat the stomach lining

Management and dietary changes, like increasing hay availability, reducing stress, and limiting high-starch feeds

We’ll walk you through every step and help create a plan that fits your horse’s unique lifestyle and needs.

Preventing Future Ulcers in Your Equine Companion

Once a horse has had ulcers, we want to do everything we can to prevent them from coming back. Prevention is just as important as treatment—sometimes more so.

Here’s what we typically recommend for ongoing ulcer prevention:

– Feed frequent, small meals and provide free-choice forage

– Minimize stress with a consistent routine and turnout time

– Avoid or limit NSAID use when possible

– Consider preventative medications during times of stress, such as traveling, showing, or stall rest

Every horse is different, and we’ll help tailor a plan to support your horse’s long-term digestive health.

Let’s Get Your Horse Feeling Better: Contact Advanced Equine HV Today!

We know how much your horse means to you—and we’re here to help you keep them comfortable, thriving, and performing at their best. If you’re noticing behavior changes, appetite shifts, or performance issues, don’t wait. You’re not alone, and your horse doesn’t have to suffer in silence.

Contact Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley, and let’s talk about how we can support your horse’s gastrointestinal health.

Understanding Equine Ulcers: Supporting Your Horse’s Gastrointestinal Health