How to Protect Your Horse from Ulcers

I never stop urging horse owners to “feed your horse like a horse,” for the simple reason that a horse, fed according to his physiology and instincts, will be healthier. Free choice forage feeding is the first line of defense against ulcers, but there is more an owner can do to protect his horse from the pain and stress of this condition.

For many reasons, a steady, constant supply of forage keeps your horse’s digestive system healthy, but it’s especially important in ulcer prevention. Some basic anatomy knowledge reveals why: Unlike in the human, the horse’s stomach secretes acid all the time, even when empty. Chewing creates saliva, a natural antacid. If left without food, horses will chew on whatever they can, even their own manure, to neutralize the acid that is causing them physical pain and mental discomfort. And if left with absolutely nothing to chew on, the horse will commonly develop ulcers.

Horses in the wild do not get ulcers. The diet and lifestyle we impose on our horses are to blame for this disabling condition. The good news is encouraging: We have the ability to prevent ulcers through proper feeding and stress reduction.

In addition to offering forage, free-choice, horse owners should consider these protective feeding guidelines:

• Avoid oats and other cereal grains (corn, barley, wheat, rice, etc.). Starchy feeds can lead to ulcers by stimulating stomach cells to produce more acid and encouraging acid production through bacterial fermentation. In addition, grains move through the stomach quickly, leaving an empty stomach that is vulnerable to acid.
• Feed beet pulp instead of cereal grains. It has as many calories as oats without the propensity for acid production found with starch.