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EQUINE ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
EQUINE STOMACH ULCERS: Study indicates even recreational horses at risk…. and in as little as just 5 days
By Linda B. Schultz, DVM, PhD
Dr. Schultz is an equine veterinarian and author of “Howell Equine Handbook of Tendon and Ligament Injuries”
New research shows that stomach ulcers can occur within just five days in horses exposed to recreational show conditions and activities. According to a study reported in the September 1st issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), seven out of ten horses developed ulcers when exposed to normal situations related to weekend show travel. Such situations included transportation, twice daily feeding, light exercise and stall confinement. 1
Researchers and veterinarians have historically associated stomach ulcers with high-performance or race horses. This new study shows just how easily horses can develop stomach ulcers in association with less-strenuous, recreational activities such as weekend horseshows or events.
The recent study included a total of 20 horses determined to be ulcer-free via endoscopy evaluation of the stomach. Ten of the horses were exposed to conditions over the next five days that simulated a weekend horseshow event. This included four hours of transport to a secondary facility, three days of light training (thirty minutes of lungeing twice per day), twice daily feeding, stall confinement and a four-hour trip back to the home facility. The other ten horses remained together in a paddock at the home location as a control group. All 20 horses underwent a second endoscopy on day five. Results showed that seven out of ten horses transported off-site had developed stomach ulcers within only five days. Furthermore, two of the control horses developed ulcers, possibly due to the change in herd dynamics after the first group was transported away.
The research highlights just how fast and easy horses can get stomach ulcers and demonstrates the need for proactive prevention. Until recently, there was little horse owners could do to effectively prevent stomach ulcers in their horses. But now, ulcers can be prevented with ULCERGARD TM(omeprazole) from Merial. It is also FDA-approved for stomach ulcer prevention in horses. Available through veterinarians, ULCERGARD is a once-daily (four daily doses per tube), cinnamon flavored oral paste well accepted by horses. If your horse is exposed to stressful conditions including confinement, training, travel and competition, ask your veterinarian about prevention with ULCERGARD.
For more information on equine stomach ulcers, visit www.ULCERGARD.com.
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For additional materials on this study or equine ulcers to disseminate to your members, please contact:
Rose Raus • 770.295.2314 ext. 104 • rraus@trsg.net
McClure SR, Carithers DS, Gross, SJ, Murray MJ. Gastric ulcer development in horses in a simulated show or training environment. J Am Vet Med Assoc;2005;227 ;775-777. ™ULCERGARD is a trademark of the AstraZeneca Group of Companies. UGD-CSA-5-WTSASSART