New research shows that stomach ulcers can occur within five days in horses exposed to recreational show conditions and activities. The study, reported in the September 1 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), indicated that seven out of 10 horses developed ulcers when exposed to normal situations related to weekend show travel. These included transportation, twice daily feeding, light exercise and stall confinement.

Researchers and veterinarians have historically associated stomach ulcers with high-performance or racehorses. 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 research demonstrated that conditions representing typical activities of the recreationally used horse are associated with an increased incidence of gastric ulcers within a short time period,” said Dr. Scott McClure, DVM, PhD, author of the study. “The findings reported should increase awareness that gastric ulcers affect a greater population of horses than previously thought.”

The study included a total of 20 horses determined to be ulcer-free. Ten of the horses were exposed to conditions over the next five days that simulated a weekend horse show. 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 easily horses can get stomach ulcers and the opportunity 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 UlcergardTM from Merial. Ulcergard is the first and only FDA-approved product scientifically proven to prevent stomach ulcers in horses. Available through veterinarians, Ulcergard is a once-daily (four daily doses per tube), cinnamon-flavored oral paste that prevents ulcers in horses exposed to stressful conditions including, but not limited to, confinement, training, travel and competition.


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