Equine Stomach Ulcers Still at 60%

For the second year, a nationwide series of more than 160 gastroscopy events showed 60% of horses were identified with stomach ulcers, according to a press release from Merial.
“This is the second year that these scopings were able to show horse owners the type of potentially painful stomach ulcers that their horses have been dealing with,” said April Knudson, DVM, manager of Merial Veterinary Services. “Many times, horses are suffering in silence from stomach ulcers due to their natural tendencies as a prey animal to mask pain.”
Veterinarians evaluated the horses’ stomachs using gastroscopy. Throughout the year, 1,532 horses across the country participated. Overall, 922 horses from 37 states had some ulceration as identified by gastroscopy.
There are many triggers for stomach ulcer development, and stress is an important factor, Knudson said. Horses may experience stress when exposed to such situations as competition, training, travel, lay-up due to sickness or injury, shows or events, limited turnout or grazing, and trailering.
Ulcers can develop quickly, too. One study showed that horses can develop stomach ulcers in as little as five days.

Some horses do tend to suffer in silence.  I thought this article said it quite well how many horses are suffering with hidden illnesses and may be acting out not from misbehavior, but from pain.  This is a shining example of why it’s so important to talk directly with your horse often!

For the second year, a nationwide series of more than 160 gastroscopy events showed 60% of horses were identified with stomach ulcers, according to a press release from Merial.

“This is the second year that these scopings were able to show horse owners the type of potentially painful stomach ulcers that their horses have been dealing with,” said April Knudson, DVM, manager of Merial Veterinary Services. “Many times, horses are suffering in silence from stomach ulcers due to their natural tendencies as a prey animal to mask pain.”

Veterinarians evaluated the horses’ stomachs using gastroscopy. Throughout the year, 1,532 horses across the country participated. Overall, 922 horses from 37 states had some ulceration as identified by gastroscopy.

There are many triggers for stomach ulcer development, and stress is an important factor, Knudson said. Horses may experience stress when exposed to such situations as competition, training, travel, lay-up due to sickness or injury, shows or events, limited turnout or grazing, and trailering.

Ulcers can develop quickly, too. One study showed that horses can develop stomach ulcers in as little as five days.

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categories Horse Talk | valheart | datetime May 5, 2010 6:21 pm

2 Comments

  • By Rebecca, May 8, 2010 @ 10:23 am

    Hi Val,
    Thank you for all of your articles.
    The first thing that came to mind after reading this one about stomach ulcers is that: along with stress, if a horse is drinking city water or eating treated (non-organic) hay, grass or grains, that the chemicals could speed the development of the ulcers. Your thoughts?
    Rebecca

  • By valheart, September 7, 2010 @ 1:48 pm

    I completely agree Rebecca, toxic chemicals can definitely eat away at the lining of the stomach and contribute (maybe even cause) ulcers. Thanks for posting your comment!

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