6 Best Calming Management Practices For Horses Prone To Ulcers Grooms Use
Stress can lead to equine ulcers. Learn 6 pro-groom tips for calming management, focusing on consistent routine, diet, and turnout for a healthier gut.
You notice your horse is a little girthy, maybe grinding his teeth or just seems perpetually grumpy under saddle. These subtle signs are often the first whispers of a much bigger problem: Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). Managing an ulcer-prone horse isn’t about finding a single magic cure; it’s about fundamentally shifting your daily management to reduce stress and support their natural digestive function.
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Understanding Stress and Equine Ulcer Syndrome
Stress is the primary villain in the story of equine ulcers. When a horse experiences stress—from training, travel, or even just an inconsistent routine—their body releases cortisol. This hormone reduces blood flow to the stomach lining, weakening its natural defenses against the constant flow of gastric acid.
Unlike humans, horses produce stomach acid 24/7, whether they are eating or not. This system works perfectly when they are grazing continuously, as forage and saliva act as natural buffers. But when a horse’s stomach is empty for even a few hours, that acid has nothing to work on but the sensitive stomach lining itself.
This combination of physical stress (an empty stomach) and mental stress (anxiety from training or environment) creates the perfect storm for ulcers to form. The key to management isn’t just treating the symptoms; it’s about dismantling the sources of stress in their daily life. Effective management is preventative medicine.
Constant Forage Access with a Freedom Feeder
The single most important change you can make for an ulcer-prone horse is to provide constant access to forage. An empty stomach is an acidic stomach. Keeping hay in front of them ensures a steady stream of fiber to soak up acid and saliva to buffer it.
A Freedom Feeder, or any quality small-hole haynet, is an essential tool for this. It mimics natural grazing by forcing the horse to take small, slow bites over a long period. This prevents them from bolting their entire meal in an hour and then standing with an empty gut for the next eleven.
Yes, filling these nets can be a chore, especially in the cold. That’s the tradeoff. But the payoff is a horse with a consistently buffered stomach, reduced boredom, and a lower risk of colic. It transforms mealtime from a quick event into an all-day activity, which is exactly how a horse’s digestive system is designed to function.
Low-Starch Diets: Feeding Triple Crown Senior
Triple Crown Senior Horse Feed provides optimal nutrition for older horses and those with metabolic concerns. This high-fat, high-fiber formula features beet pulp and can be used as a complete diet.
What you put in the feed bucket matters just as much as what you put in the haynet. High-starch and high-sugar feeds can wreak havoc on a sensitive digestive system. These feeds can cause spikes in stomach acid and, if they pass undigested into the hindgut, can disrupt the delicate microbial balance, leading to hindgut acidosis.
This is why many experienced grooms turn to low-starch, high-fiber feeds. Triple Crown Senior is a classic example of this philosophy in a bag. It’s built on a foundation of beet pulp and other highly digestible fiber sources, not corn or molasses. The calories come from fat and fiber, providing cool, steady energy without the digestive upset.
You don’t have to use that specific brand, but the principle is what’s important. Look for feeds with a non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) value under 15%, ideally closer to 10%. Reading the feed tag and understanding the ingredients is crucial. You’re aiming to feed the hindgut what it wants—fiber—while avoiding what harms it—excess starch.
Daily Gut Support with U-Gard Powder Supplement
Even with the best management, some horses simply have more sensitive systems. This is where a daily gut supplement can provide that extra layer of support. They aren’t a replacement for good feeding practices, but they can be a powerful addition to them.
Supplements like U-Gard Powder contain ingredients that directly target stomach health. They often include antacids like calcium and magnesium to help neutralize excess acid, providing immediate relief. Many also feature soothing ingredients, such as licorice, aloe vera, and pectin, which can help coat and protect the stomach lining.
Think of a gut supplement as a daily defense shield. It helps manage the acid that’s already there and supports the integrity of the stomach wall. For a horse prone to ulcers, especially during times of increased stress like travel or competition, a quality supplement can make a significant difference in their comfort and attitude.
Stall Enrichment Using a Shires Ball Feeder
A bored horse is a stressed horse. Standing in a stall for hours on end with nothing to do is a major source of mental anxiety, which, as we know, contributes directly to ulcers. Stall enrichment is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for mental well-being.
The Shires Ball Feeder or similar treat-dispensing toys are excellent tools for this. They require the horse to actively engage their mind and body to get a small reward. This simple act of problem-solving and movement can break the monotony of stall time, reducing stress-related behaviors like cribbing or weaving.
You can fill these toys with low-starch pellets or forage cubes, turning a quick snack into a prolonged activity. It extends eating time, engages their brain, and gives them a sense of control over their environment. This small addition to their routine can have an outsized impact on their overall stress level.
The Importance of Consistent Daily Turnout
Turnout is non-negotiable for an ulcer-prone horse. The benefits are threefold: mental, physical, and social. Free movement allows a horse to decompress mentally, reducing the cortisol that fuels ulcer formation. It also encourages gut motility and allows for natural grazing, which keeps the digestive system functioning as intended.
The key word here is consistent. A horse that gets turned out for eight hours every single day will be far less stressed than one who gets out for twelve hours one day and only two the next. They thrive on predictability. Knowing when they get to go out with their friends provides a powerful sense of security.
If 24/7 turnout isn’t an option, maximizing the time they do get is crucial. Even a few hours in a dry lot with a slow feeder is better than being stuck in a stall. It’s about giving them the opportunity to be a horse—to move, graze, and interact with a herd.
Creating a Predictable, Low-Stress Handling Routine
Horses are creatures of habit, and the unknown is a significant source of stress. A predictable daily schedule for feeding, turnout, and barn chores creates a calm, stable environment. When a horse knows what to expect and when to expect it, their baseline anxiety level drops dramatically.
Your handling on the ground is a huge part of this equation. A quiet, confident handler is a source of security. Rushing, yelling, or inconsistent cues create anxiety and erode trust. Every interaction, from leading to the paddock to grooming, should be calm and deliberate.
This low-stress approach extends to their work. Training sessions should be fair and consistent, with clear expectations. Avoid drilling the same exercise repeatedly until the horse is frustrated. End on a good note. Your goal is to make time with you a positive, predictable part of their day, not a source of stress.
Combining Management for Long-Term Comfort
There is no single magic bullet for managing an ulcer-prone horse. A supplement won’t fix a stressful environment, and a slow feeder can’t undo the damage of a high-starch diet. True, long-term comfort comes from layering these management practices into a holistic, supportive system.
Think of it as building a fortress of well-being around your horse. Constant forage access is the foundation. A low-starch diet and gut supplements are the strong walls. Consistent turnout and stall enrichment are the watchtowers that guard against mental stress. And a predictable, calm handling routine is the gatekeeper, ensuring every interaction is a positive one.
When all these pieces work together, they create an environment where the horse’s body and mind are no longer fighting a constant battle against stress and acid. This integrated approach doesn’t just manage ulcers; it fosters a healthier, happier, and more resilient partner.
Ultimately, managing an ulcer-prone horse is about listening to what their physiology is telling us and respecting their nature as a grazing animal. By focusing on these consistent, calming practices, you move beyond simply treating symptoms and start building a foundation of true digestive health and well-being.
