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Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a broad term used to describe a wide array of clinical symptoms, including erosions and ulcers in the distal esophagus, the glandular and non glandular portions of the stomach, and the proximal duodenum.(1,2)Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and colonic ulcers have been linked to performance and health problems in horses for more than a decade. Researchers and Veterinarians have recognized that gastric and colonic ulcers are serious health threats, especially to performance horses or horses in training. Studies show that horses kept in box stalls and trained intensively have a high incidence of gastric ulcers. (50-91% in racing and show horses, depending on the reference.) Horses on pasture, and exercised lightly, commonly have normal stomachs.

Some of the reasons that ulcers are common in this group of horses include the following:
• Stress caused by training, competition, shipping or injury
• Large grain meals
• Inadequate access to hay or pasture
• Over use of drugs, especially non-steroidal and inflammatory drugs

The equine stomach has a small capacity compared to the gastrointestinal system, and prefers ingestion of small meals regularly. The natural horse will eat continuously between 18 - 20+ hours a day. The stomach must maintain an acidic level in order to properly pre-digest food, as well as be a barrier to any ingested bacteria. Smaller grain meals and higher amounts of roughage/hay/pasture, allow the horse to digest food more effectively. Active chewing also creates more saliva which naturally buffers acid and aids in coating the mucosa lining preventing it from further damage.

Nothing stays in the stomach longer than 45 minutes, and it can empty as quickly as 15 minutes after a grain and or hard feed meal. The more grain you feed in one sitting the quicker it empties into the digestive tract, which limits your horse's ability to properly digest and absorb, and also pushes starches into the hindgut causing a neutral ph into an acidic imbalance.

Clinical signs in a horse with gastric or colonic ulcers may include acute and recurrent colic, poor body condition, intermittent feeding behavior, poor performance, and attitude changes. Problems can develop when horses are stalled in new barns, started in showing and training, and when being hauled, notably early on in their careers.

Prevention

Eliminate as many negative factors as possible.
Training schedules need to be adjusted to reduce stress on inexperienced horses.
Avoid recurrent fasting, even while traveling.
Fresh hay/roughage, available day and night is highly important to all horses, especially when stalled. If feeding grain and concentrates, keep the hay or roughage levels as high as possible. Turning the horse out on pasture is encouraged to prevent long fasting periods and to keep the horse chewing, which stimulates production of buffering saliva.
Horses should always have adequate amounts of clean, fresh water and should be provided a mineral/salt mix to ensure adequate water intake.

Franklin L. Pellegrini, DVM states in his article, Results of a Large-Scale Necroscopic Study of Equine Colonic Ulcers, that “studies have shown that almost all performance horse's have some kind of ulcer, and that as much as 60% of them have colonic ulcers. These findings raise questions about the causes of colonic ulcers, the effect of colonic ulcers on performance, and their role as a primary cause or as a contributing factor in colic.”

Horses that have limited access to pasture and hay, coupled with a high grain diet may want to consider a digestive aid such as SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program, to help maximize your horse's nutrient uptake, proper absorption of feed, as well as maintaining a healthy hindgut. If you feel your horse is prone to digestive issues, such as ulcers, you may want to discuss with your veterinarian the SUCCEED FBT Fecal Blood Test.

YOUR SOURCE FOR EQUINE PROTECTION AND FARM AND RANCH INSURANCE

For More Information Call:

C. Jarvis Insurance Agency
33755 Station Street
Solon, Ohio 44139
Tel: (440) 248-5330Fax: (440) 248-8737
info@jarvisinsurance.com or visit us at http://www.jarvisinsurance.com

As with all equine health related issues, please consult your veterinarian professional for all concerns and questions related to the health and well being of your horse.

Information sources and references include the following: Large Animal Veterinary Round, Volume 7, Issue 3. 1. .Murray MJ. In:Smith BP. Large animal Internal Medicine, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby, Elsevier;2002:617-621. 2. Chris Sanchex L. In:Reed SM Bayly WM, Sellon DC, Equine Internal Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, Elsevier (USA); 2004:863-873. Freedom Health- New Release Shows Colonic Ulcers Significant Risk for Performance Horses.Overview of Gastric and Colonic Ulcers, Update on Ulcers - The Horse.com, Results of a Large-Scale Necroscopic Study of Equine Colonic Ulcers by Franklin L. Pellegrini, DVM, Equine Gastric Ulcers - Equine Gastric Syndrome (EGUS) by Melody Taylor-Scott. This newsletter is prepared by Margie Turner. This newsletter does not express the views or opinions of C. Jarvis Insurance Agency. The newsletter is for informational use only.