FAQ1
Stomach ulcers are very common among horses. Studies show that purebreds, trotters (race horses), sport horses and foals are susceptible to this disorder. Symptoms of stomach ulcers are weight loss, inferior performance, no appetite or selective intake of food.
Stomach ulcers result from over-production of acid in the stomach, which affects the stomach lining. Factors that can increase the risk of stomach ulcers are feeding, training, stress and growth changes in foals.
Most horses or foals that suffer from stomach ulcers hardly have any symptoms. Only when it becomes severe or when there are many symptoms, can you notice these symptoms. A veterinarian can perform an endoscopy to see and diagnose an ulcer.
By nature a horse eats nearly throughout the day, but never large quantities at one time. The horse’s gastrointestinal tract is adjusted to such an eating pattern. The stomach lining produces acids 24 hours per day, also if there is no food in the stomach. Pasture-fed horses produce 40-60 litres of saliva daily and this neutralises the stomach acids.
In order to adapt a feeding pattern that fits in as much as possible with natural conditions, it is important to feed your horse as much roughage (fibre) as possible. Don’t let your horse fast for more than one hour: ulcers can develop very rapidly in an empty stomach. Hartog Gras-mix combined with the special feed box gives your horse the possibility to eat textured feed throughout the day.
In addition, feed your horse as little concentrates as possible and spread the concentrates over the entire day in smaller portions. The best regimen is not to feed the horse more than 2 kg of concentrates at one time. Hartog Balance textured muesli ensures that the horse has to chew better on concentrates, which produces more saliva than with regular concentrates.
Recommended:
- Hartog Gras-mix + Hartog feed box
- Balance structure muesli
