17 SYMPTOMS THAT MAY INDICATE STOMACH ULCER IN YOUR HORSE

1. Increased salivation1

2. Teeth grinding2

3. Empty chewing1

4. Colic3

5. Drop in performance3

6. Flehmen response4

7. Watery feces4

8. Bad breath4

9. Yawning4

10. Increased water consumption5

11. Loss of appetite5

12. Weight loss5

13. Delayed coat change5

14. Dull coat5

15. Stereotypical behavior5

16. Rideability problems6

17. Saddle pressure6

REFERENCES

1Vervuert (2020): Stomach ulcers. In: Coenen, M., Vervuert, I., “Horse Feeding.” Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag, 303–306.

2PRIESS, A. (2020): Multicenter study on the etiology of gastric ulcers in horses. Dissertation, Free University of Berlin.

3BUSECHIAN et al. 2020, PEDERSEN et al. 2018

4GEHLEN, H., PRIESS, A., DORHERR, M. (2021): Germany-wide multicenter study on the etiology of gastric mucosal lesions in horses. Pfereheilkunde- Ewuine Medicine 37, 395-407.

5SCHUSSER, G.F., MAY, M., DAMKE, C. (2006): Inflammatory and ulcerative stomach diseases. Equine Medicine 22, 275-280.

6BARSNICK, R. (2021): Prevalence and treatment options for lesions of the glandular mucosa in horses (equine glandular gastric disease). Equine Medicine 37, 368-378.

Drei wichtige FÜTTERUNGSTIPPS zur Prävention von Magengeschwüren

Mindestmenge an Raufutter beachten

Mindestens 1,5kg TM je 100kg Körpergewicht
Heu vor Kraftfutter verfüttern
Regelmäßiger mehrstündiger Weidegang

Kraftfuttermenge pro Mahlzeit begrenzen

Maximal 0,3kg je 100kg Köpergewicht
Stärke gegen Fett als Energiequelle austauschen (vorzugsweise Leinöl mit entzündungsemmenden Omega 3 Fettsäuren)

Mindestmenge an  Raufutter beachten

Nüchternzeit >6 - 8 h vermeiden, da die dauerhafte Sekretion von Magensäure durch den gebildeten Speichel gepuffert werden kann
Abstand zwischen Fütterung und Arbeitsbeginn einhalten (im Idealfall 3h)

OBSERVE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF ROUGHAGE

At least 1.5 kg DM per 100 kg body weight
Feed hay before concentrated feed
Regular grazing for several hours

LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF CONCENTRATED FEED PER MEAL

Maximum 0.3 kg per 100 kg body weight
Replace starch with fat as an energy source (preferably linseed oil with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids)

OBSERVE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FORAGE

Avoid fasting periods >6–8 hours, as the continuous secretion of stomach acid can be buffered by the saliva produced.
Maintain a gap between feeding and the start of work (ideally 3 hours).