Many people look for answers about the symptoms of gastric ulcers in horses or what to feed a horse with ulcers. The reality, however, is that this problem is much more common than we think, and it is often already present before it causes clear, visible symptoms.
In the literature, this condition is known as Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), and it refers to damage, erosion, or ulceration of the stomach lining. According to available research, a significant proportion of horses are affected: in the general population, prevalence is estimated between 50–90%, while in sport and competition horses this rate can be as high as 80–100%. This means that gastric ulcers are not the exception, but practically a common consequence of modern management.
The way a horse’s stomach functions fundamentally explains why this condition develops so frequently. Gastric acid production is continuous, occurring 24 hours a day, regardless of whether the animal is eating. Under natural conditions, this acid is buffered by constant feed intake and saliva production. However, when feeding routines change, fiber intake decreases, or the horse is left with an empty stomach for extended periods, the acid begins to directly irritate the stomach lining.
Training and workload further worsen the situation. During movement, stomach contents are splashed upward, and the acid reaches the less protected upper part of the stomach. This is compounded by stress, transport, competition environments, and the effects of certain medications, all of which further increase the risk of developing gastric ulcers. Therefore, gastric ulcers cannot be traced back to a single cause, but are the result of multiple contributing factors.
The symptoms of gastric ulcers in horses are often not obvious. Common signs include declining performance, irritability, changes in appetite, weight loss, loss of appetite, frequent colic (abdominal pain), or girth sensitivity. In many cases, however, these signs are mild or attributed to other issues. This is why gastric ulcers often remain unnoticed for a long time, while the horse’s performance gradually declines.
This raises the question: what can be done in the case of a horse with gastric ulcers, and how can the problem be prevented? The answer does not lie in a single solution, but in a well-thought-out system that includes proper feeding, appropriate management, and targeted gastric protection. Under modern conditions, gastric protection is often not an extra, but a basic necessity.
Digest Shield represents an approach within this system that supports gastric protection at multiple levels. Magnesium oxide and calcium carbonate contribute to buffering the acidic environment of the stomach, thereby reducing irritation of the mucous membrane. At the same time, marshmallow root and psyllium husk, through their mucilaginous, coating effect, form a protective layer on the stomach wall, which reduces the direct damaging effect of acid and supports regeneration.
The presence of chamomile is important due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, while beta-glucans, through supporting the immune system, help tissue regeneration and the long-term stabilization of the stomach. This complex composition allows Digest Shield to not only address a single symptom, but target multiple key mechanisms involved in the development of gastric ulcers at the same time.
In practice, this means that the product can be used not only as supportive care for existing problems, but also for prevention, especially in situations where the risk of gastric ulcers is continuously present. This includes competition periods, intensive training, transport, or any more stressful phases.
Gastric ulcers in horses are no longer a rare diagnosis, but a condition that appears in some form in almost every sport horse’s life. The question is not whether they develop, but to what extent, and whether they are recognized in time. In this context, conscious feeding and proper gastric protection are not optional, but the foundation of long-term health and performance.
The Digest Shield is also a fundamental part of the diet of Casallandia PS, who competes at international Grand Prix level, as seen in the opening image.
References:
University of California, Davis – Center for Equine Health (2023): Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)
Merck & Co., Inc. – MSD Veterinary Manual (2024): Gastric Ulcers in Horses
Sykes, B.W. et al. (2024): Prevalence and Risk Factors of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Sport Horses. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), PMC11672571
Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley (2023): What You Should Know About Stomach Ulcers in Horses During GI Health Month
