12/04/2025
We have been doing numerous scopes lately so let’s talk gastric ulcers - many horses will develop some degree of stomach ulceration which usually requires treatment to fully resolve. Signs of ulceration can include pain from tightening the girth/cinch, poor weight gain, dull hair coat, poor performance or lack of impulsion, irritability, anxiety, mild intermittent colic signs, and decreased appetite - some of these signs can be mild and easily missed.
Did you also know there are two types of ulceration horses can exhibit: 1. Squamous and 2. Glandular/pyloric. Squamous ulceration involves the portion of the stomach above the margo plicatus and typically requires omeprazole for treatment. Glandular ulceration involves the lower part of the stomach near the pylorus as food leaves the stomach. These ulcerations typically require a combination of treatments including prokinetics, omeprazole, and usually a gastroprotectant; as well as other adjunctive therapies like omega 3s and oil to aid in glandular mucus production. Both types usually require diet assessment and may also require different supplements to help prevent horses from obtaining them again.
It is very important to scope your horses to determine the type and severity of ulcerations present within the stomach! This allows us to develop a better treatment protocol and preventative maintenance strategy for your individual horse. We can perform scopes on farm - we use a long endoscopic camera that is inserted through the nostril in a way similar to a nasogastric tube. The only requirement needed is a 16 hour fast of your horse the night before to ensure the stomach is completely empty to be able to fully evaluate all the structures necessary.
If you think your horse has ulcers, please give us a call to set up an appointment!
