Two vets weigh in on gastric and hindgut ulcers, plus what you can do to prevent them before they occur.
Two Types of Equine Ulcers
Gastric Ulcers: Found in the stomach, most common.
Hindgut Ulcers: Found in the colon, harder to diagnose.
Clinical Signs
Signs of gastric and hindgut ulcers can range in type and severity. A common indicator of ulcers in many sport horses is poor performance in the arena.
Causes of Ulcers in Horses
One of the most common causes of gastric ulcers is stress. Some horses internalize their stress more than others, which can make them more prone to developing ulcers.
Prevention of Ulcers
Once ulcers have been treated, understanding how best to prevent them from reoccurring is critical.