Although horses seem big and strong, they actually have sensitive stomachs. Horses are prone to stomach ulcers. Scroll to Step 1 to read more about the causes of stomach ulcer symptoms and the treatment that needs to be done to treat the ulcer further.
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Method 1 of 3: Causes and Symptoms of Stomach Ulcer
Step 1. Avoid things that can cause stomach ulcers
Food, exercise and lifestyle play an important role in the development of ulcer disease. The horse's stomach is divided into two parts, namely the non-glandular part which directly follows the esophagus, and the glandular part which secretes enzymes such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid. The glandular part is covered by mucus and bicarbonate which can protect against the effects of hydrochloric acid or commonly known as Muriatic acid! (Imagine if you drink Muriatic acid). The most common ulcers are ulcers on the non-glandular part because this part does not have the same protective covering as the glandular part. The causes of ulcers are:
- Prolonged feeding of concentrates.
- Prolonged hunger and lack of frequency of feeding (feed only 3x/day).
- Stress caused by prolonged, high-intensity exercise, prolonged and frequent travel, prolonged confinement, depression, and lack of socialization with other horses.
- Prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These drugs can prevent the production of acid-producing chemicals in the stomach.
- Famine experienced by foals caused by poor upbringing by mares resulting in delayed and infrequent milk intake.
Step 2. Watch for signs of stomach ulcers in the foal
Foals may experience different symptoms than adult horses do. Stomach ulcers are very common in foals who do not have sufficient milk intake which can result in death. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your foal to the vet immediately. Watch for symptoms such as:
- Heartburn or extreme stomach pain
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Excessive saliva production
- Diarrhea
- Bad appetite
- Goldenization or poor body condition
- Want to lie down
Step 3. Watch for symptoms in adult horses
Some of the symptoms that foals experience can also occur in adult horses. If you observe these clinical symptoms, then you should suspect that the horse has a stomach ulcer, call immediately and take your horse to a veterinarian. They can diagnose the disease more definitively using an endoscope (a device that can see inside the horse's stomach) and provide appropriate treatment and advice. Watch for symptoms such as:
- Bad appetite
- Poor body condition
- Lose weight
- Heartburn
- Mental dullness
- Changes in behavior
- Poor appearance
- On your back more than usual
Method 2 of 3: Treating Stomach Ulcers with Rest and Giving Straw
Step 1. Rest the horse for a week
This will ensure that no acid will flow back into the non-glandular part of the stomach. During exercise and exercise, a lot of acid flows back because exercise can put pressure on the stomach. The rapid movement that occurs during exercise can also cause acid to splash in the stomach. The horse's stomach has cells that can divide rapidly. Resting the horse will ensure that the acid-damaged coating can repair itself.
Step 2. Place the horse in the stable and make sure that the hay is always full
The horse's stomach secretes acid in a cyclical manner. This means that acidity levels can go up and down over the course of a day -- horse stomachs often have a pH level of 5 or they can drop to 1. Straw can make the horse chew more, so that more saliva can be produced; Saliva can protect against strong acids.
- The chewed hay can float on the horse's stomach and form a protective layer that prevents acid from flowing back into the non-glandular part of the stomach.
- Rough foodstuffs such as alfalfa straw contain many substances that act as antacids such as calcium, magnesium sulfate, saponins, and protein mucilage.
Step 3. Feed your horse before doing the exercise
After you have rested your horse for a week, you can retrain your horse. Feed the horse a small portion of alpha hay or 500 grams of hay bran about 30 minutes before starting training. The alfalfa hay will create an alkaline layer that prevents the acid from splashing into the top of the glandless part of the stomach.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Stomach Ulcers with Medication
Step 1. Give your horse proton-pump inhibitors
This medicine can completely block the production of acid which allows the stomach to heal on its own. It is stronger than other drugs and is usually given once a day.
Omeprazole and pantoprazole are proton-pump inhibitors. Omeprazole (at a dose of 0.7mg to 1.4mg/kg daily) is the only drug approved by the FDA for treating peptic ulcers in horses. Over-the-counter omeprazole can be given once a day and during travel
Step 2. Administer a histamine Type 2 (H2) receptor blocker
This medicine can partially block the production of acid in the stomach, so give this medicine more often. In general, you should give this medicine three or four times a day.
Cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine are among these drugs. Cimetidine dose (300 to 600mg given 3 to 4 times daily). Ranitidine is effective for foals and is given once a day
Step 3. Apply a protective coating to the horse
This type of drug can provide a protective layer in the stomach mucosa and help the recovery process. There are two types of protective coating drugs to choose from, namely sucralfate and lecithin.
- Sucralfate: this drug can bandage the stomach mucosa and can help recovery. Dosage for foals (1 to 2 grams, 2x daily), adult horses (2mg/kg, 2x daily).
- Lecithin: contains phospholipids and essential fatty acids such as linolenic acid (omega 6), and linoleic acid (omega 3). Lecithin binds to the lipid layer in the stomach, thus providing an additional protective layer of fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that strengthen cell membranes in the stomach lining.
Step 4. Use another substance that promotes the growth of the protective film
Other substances that can promote the growth of the protective film are elm powder, low protein curd powder, and psyllium husks. They can be served as porridge before feedings or as an additional garnish on top of dry foods.
Step 5. Give the horse an antacid
Sodium bicarbonate can be used up to 200grams per dose to provide short-term relief as well as to neutralize stomach acid. The substance is usually given after the horse is fed wheat rations.
Step 6. Give the horse probiotics
Probiotics such as yogurt products contain Lactobacilli spp. Given daily, probiotic supplements can act as good bacteria to help fight ulcer-forming bacteria.
Prostaglandins can also fight bad bacteria. This substance is recommended for horses who have had gastric ulcers because these substances have high doses of NSAIDs
Tips
- Feed the horse more often or let the horse eat grass in the pasture.
- Add alfalfa to your horse's diet -- it has a high calcium content that can prevent ulcers.
- Make sure that the newborn foal has access to the mare's milk.
