Gastric ulcers in horses: signs, diet, and the role of supplements
Cécile de Produits-Veto
Pharmacy technician ·
Gastric ulcers in horses require a veterinary diagnosis, which may include a gastroscopy. Diet supports their management. Ekygard remains a nutritional support and does not replace their treatment. IFCE veterinary guidelines on gastric ulcers.
Before choosing a supplement, ask three questions: what has changed in my horse, how does it actually eat, and what goal has been set with the professional following it? These benchmarks help avoid reducing a digestive problem to the purchase of a product.
What signs should catch your attention?
A drop in appetite or loss of condition may accompany gastric lesions, but also other problems. A reaction to girthing is not enough for diagnosis, while some horses show few signs. The IFCE details the signs and their limits.
To prepare for the discussion with your veterinarian, describe facts: since when has the ration been left in the feeder? Does the change appear at rest, during meals or during work? Was there a transport, a change of boarding facility or a new feed? A precise timeline will be more useful than a list of assumed diagnoses. For example, write down "Monday: transport; Tuesday morning: half the ration left; Tuesday evening: meal finished", with the corresponding quantities. This way you distinguish your observations from their interpretation. If several people are involved at the stable, choose a shared logbook or a dated sheet to avoid contradictory information.
Abdominal pain requires a different priority
A colic refers to abdominal pain and may involve different parts of the digestive tract. It is not synonymous with gastric ulcer and its progression can be severe. If your horse seems to be in pain or shows signs of colic, contact your veterinarian promptly and follow their instructions, without waiting for the effect of a supplement. Origins of colic: explanations from the IFCE.
Understanding the stomach to better organize meals
The horse produces gastric acid continuously. Chewing promotes saliva production, which helps buffer acidity. The stomach has a non-glandular part and a glandular part, whose protections and functioning differ. These particularities explain the value of looking at feeding rhythm, and not only the total quantity distributed. Understanding horse digestion with the IFCE.
Digestion does not stop at the stomach: the large intestine hosts significant microbial activity. Talking about "digestive flora" and talking about gastric lesions therefore does not refer to the same problem. This distinction helps explain why not all products sold for digestion have the same purpose. The different digestive stages.
Three points to check in the daily ration
The forage actually available
Forage plays a central role in the horse's diet and behaviour. A distribution that extends the time spent eating helps to respect its behavioural needs. However, the choice of forage and the quantities must be considered according to body condition, activity and any health constraints. "Ad libitum" is not a universal rule for all ponies and horses. Feeding and well-being: IFCE guidelines.
Over a typical day, note the distribution times and when the forage runs out. In a group, also check that the horse concerned actually has access to food. Photographing a ration and noting what remains makes it possible to discuss the situation concretely with the professional in charge of feeding.
Concentrates suited to the need
Examine the concentrates along with their quantity, starch content and meal size. Splitting their distribution and limiting long periods without forage are measures to discuss for a horse affected by ulcers. Dietary measures presented by the IFCE.
Keep the exact name of the feeds and a photo of their labels. Record the quantities weighed, rather than just the number of "scoops": two containers or two feeds do not necessarily correspond to the same weight. This preparation makes the ration assessment more usable.
Water and transitions
Access to clean water must always be ensured. When travelling, check that the horse actually drinks: a different water trough or unfamiliar water can change its habits. Dietary changes should be made gradually, including when switching to a new batch of hay or a new living environment. Digestive prevention advice from the IFCE.
What place should be given to Ekygard?
Ekygard+ Audevard is a mineral feed in granules intended to support the horse's stomach. The manufacturer presents a formula combining nutritional goals linked to acidity, the gastric mucosa and the digestive flora. It is not a medicine. A horse for which treatment has been prescribed must continue to be monitored according to the vet's instructions. Official presentation of Ekygard+ by Audevard.
The IFCE points out that dietary supplements are not recommended as a treatment for ulcers and that the results regarding their prevention are limited or contradictory. A stated nutritional function must therefore not be turned into a promise of cure or certain prevention. State of knowledge presented by the IFCE.
Ekygard+: choosing the quantity, without changing the formula
The 2.4 kg, 6 kg and 14 kg formats correspond to the same formula. Based on the manufacturer's intake for an adult horse, i.e. 80 g per day, they represent respectively 30, 75 and 175 days. This is a calculated autonomy, not a treatment duration. Audevard intake and packaging.
| Packaging | Purchase guide |
|---|---|
| Ekygard+ 2,4 kg | Small quantity, for more frequent renewal. |
| Ekygard+ 6 kg | Intermediate format if the need is already established. |
| Ekygard+ 14 kg | Larger reserve, to be weighed against expected consumption. |
To compare costs, base your reasoning on the same quantity consumed and include any delivery charges. Buying more is only worthwhile if the product matches the need identified and can be used under the conditions stated on its packaging.
Ekygard Flash: a different, occasional presentation
Ekygard Flash 60 ml is a complementary feed in gel form, packaged in an oral syringe. Audevard intends it for occasionally increased gastric needs, particularly around transport and competitions. Its composition differs from that of the granules: the two presentations cannot simply be substituted for one another by converting weight or volume. Official presentation of Ekygard Flash.
Its name should not lead one to expect the immediate disappearance of pain. If you are unsure between a daily and an occasional presentation, start by clarifying your objective and the other intakes already being given. The label and instructions for the correct reference remain the documents to consult before use.
Preparing a trip and monitoring changes
When attending a competition or changing stables, plan ahead for the ration, forage and watering. Preserving feeding habits as much as possible, organising transitions and maintaining turnout opportunities are all part of overall digestive management. A supplement does not erase the effects of unsuitable management. Preparing lifestyle changes.
A shared logbook can bring together four simple pieces of information: meals given, observed intake, unusual behaviour and products administered. Date the changes and identify the person who made them. In case of difficulty, you will be able to provide consistent observations rather than trying to piece together several days from memory.
Before extending or modifying a nutritional programme, go through this logbook with the professional monitoring the horse. The goal is to know what was actually given, what has changed and what remains to be explained. Keep the veterinary monitoring plan close at hand, along with the contact details to reach in case of a problem.
Frequently asked questions about the horse's stomach
What should I prepare before discussing gastric problems with my vet?
Prepare the timeline of observed changes, the labels of food and supplements, the quantities given and the usual schedules. Add recent travel and ongoing treatments. This record makes the discussion easier; it must not delay a call if the horse appears painful or if its condition worries you.
How do I compare two digestive support products for my horse?
Start with their purpose, status, composition and method of use for the right species. Then compare the daily intake and the quantity actually required. A similar name or the presence of a common ingredient is not enough to make two formulas interchangeable; show the labels to your veterinarian if the horse is under medical supervision.
Do Ekygard+ and Ekygard Flash contain the same formula?
No. Ekygard+ is a mineral feed in granules to be mixed into the ration, while Ekygard Flash is a complementary feed in gel and oral syringe form. Their compositions and methods of use differ. Choose the presentation based on the identified need, then follow its label without converting a quantity of granules into a volume of gel yourself. Manufacturer's information on Flash.
How do I know which Ekygard+ pack size to buy?
Start from the intended consumption for the horses concerned, the program chosen and the storage instructions on the packaging. The three formats contain the same formula: a larger size does not mean a higher concentration. The 2,4 kg, 6 kg and 14 kg sheets give the autonomy benchmarks for organising replenishments. Conditionnements officiels Ekygard+.
