Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in horses and foals: a holistic approach
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is a well-known issue across many equestrian disciplines, with particular prevalence in high-level competition such as racing. This supplement provides a holistic overview of the condition.
Nutrition is an important factor in successfully managing gastric ulcers, so it is vital that any issues in the diet of a horse with gastric ulcers are tackled in order to improve the outcome for these animals (pS3). Professor Meriel Moore-Coyler highlights how horses with gastric ulcers (with a focus on squamous gastric disease) must be managed with regards to their stress levels and particularly their diet in order to improve their symptoms. Many high-level competition horses are fed high-starch and high-sugar diets, which provide plenty of energy for their day-to-day work, but are less than ideal for protecting against gastric ulcers.
Robin van den Boom discusses the diagnosis, clinical signs and management of gastric ulcers, differentiating between the two aspects of the condition – squamous and glandular gastric disease – and discusses the clinical signs which may be seen in foals with ulcers (pS9). This gives an excellent rundown of how these two syndromes differ, and what can be expected with each of them.
The supplement also contains a selection of ‘frequently asked questions’ about equine gastric ulcer syndrome, which will be invaluable for the clinician (pS17). Jess Spanton covers topics such as nutritional recommendations, when to medicate and what formulations of medication should be used, how frequently to monitor horses with gastric ulcers and how they should be managed with regards to exercise. This article is a fantastic go-to resource with in-depth responses to common questions about treating and managing horses with gastric ulcer syndrome.
This supplement provides a comprehensive overview of gastric ulcers and views managing the condition as a holistic endeavour, rather than a solely medical undertaking, and will improve equine care for this all-too-common condition.