Horse Ulcers: Symptoms, Causes and Remedies

A strong and healthy horse is the pride of every stable owner. That is why it is of utmost importance that it is taken care of properly, so that diseases and injuries stay away. One of the most debilitating diseases that affect a horse is the horse ulcers or Equine ulcers. Equine ulcers erode the horse's abdominal lining, which is scientifically caused due to excessive contact with acid that is produced by the stomach. These ulcers are very distressing for the horses, and that is why it is vital that you take quick action to cure it.

Before talking about the remedies for horse ulcers, you should know the symptoms and the causes of horse ulcers. The equine ulcer symptoms are:

● Changes in Behavioral Patterns (Attitude Change or Dullness)
● Poor Appetite
● Weight Loss
● Poor Performance
● Resistance to Grooming
● Lying Down More Than Normal
● Mild Colic

There are three main causes of horse ulcers:

1.Antibiotic Therapy: Some medications, particularly antibiotics, are bad for the horse's stomach. While it is advisable to prevent antibiotic therapy as much as possible, sometimes it is too necessary to undertake.
2.Stress: Research has shown that stress is a big cause of ulceration in a horse. Stress is caused by a lot of things in the horse. Heavy training, confinement, travel and weather change are the main causes of stress in a horse.
3.Diet and Digestive Problems: A horse's stomach constantly produces acid, so anything that disrupts that will cause ulceration in it. A horse that is given irregular meals and concentrated feeds is the one that generally develop equine ulcers.

So, what are the remedies to prevent and cure horse ulcers? Here are the most effective solutions:

❏ Pre and Probiotics: Antibiotics kill off the friendly bacteria, which aids in digestion, in the horse's stomach. So, feeding your horse a dose prebiotics and probiotics before and after the antibiotics course will help in keeping the population of the bacteria up, and prevent ulcers.
❏ Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe Vera is rich in digestible fiber. Aloe Vera juice, when consumed, reduces intestinal transit time, takes in toxins in the bowels, regulates colonic bacteria and safeguards the digestive system.
❏ Papaya: Papaya contains an organic proactive substance called papain, which is similar to the digestive enzyme pepsin. The papain will help in activating the horse's desire for food, and will offer relief to the stomach and intestines by coating active ulcers. It also helps in averting the production of new ulcers.
❏ Other cures include consuming slippery elm bark, German chamomile and Harmonize.

When it comes to horse ulcers, it is best to avoid them. However, if it does turn up to trouble your horse then always take a quick action by using the appropriate remedies to rid your horse of this cringing disease.