09/12/2025
🥕 Ulcer Series Part 2: Forage, Forage, and More Forage 🐴
When it comes to both healing and preventing gastric ulcers, forage is your horse’s first line of defense.
Here’s why ⬇️
✔️ Constant acid production: A horse’s stomach secretes acid 24/7, whether or not they’re eating. When the stomach is empty, that acid sits and irritates the sensitive upper lining (where most ulcers occur).
✔️ Forage = saliva production: Every time a horse chews hay or grass, they produce saliva, which helps buffer and neutralize stomach acid.
✔️ Protective forage mat: Long-stem forage creates a fibrous “mat” in the stomach that helps prevent acid splash during movement or exercise.
✔️ Fiber = steady digestion: A constant trickle of fiber keeps the gut moving, reducing stress on the digestive system as a whole.
✨ My Personal Ulcer Reduction Strategies ⬇️
🥇 Slow Feeders. Horses are meant to graze 16–18 hours a day. By using a slow feeder, you extend the amount of time hay lasts, reduce long gaps between meals, and keep the stomach protected around the clock. That means fewer acid spikes, more consistent buffering, and a happier, healthier gut.
🥇 A Little Snack. We all love a snack. It’s great to feed a little snack of alfalfa before a ride. Especially if your horse has long gaps between meals. Alfalfa is shown to help increase the PH of stomach acid.
🥇 Never going more than 5 hours between meals and always feeding small concentrate meals.
💡 Bottom line: Ulcer management starts with forage access. Keeping hay in front of your horse is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect their stomach.
