Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a common term used to describe lesions in the horse’s stomach. Whilst prevalence of EGUS is high in performance horses, even populations of horses that are not working have been found to suffer from this common issue. It is likely that for as long as horses have been around, so has EGUS, however, domestication has certainly increased the prevalence of this issue in horses (Ward et al., 2015).
The horse’s stomach can be divided into two regions: the non-glandular (squamous) region, and the glandular region. These regions are defined by the type of lining that is found there. In the non-glandular region, squamous mucosa lines the stomach and glandular mucosa is found in the glandular region.
The correct name for gastric ulcers found in the squamous region of the stomach is Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGS). ESGD affects the non-glandular, squamous lining of the horse’s stomach. Ulcers in the glandular region are defined as Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) and these affect the lower, glandular region of the horse’s stomach.
Did you know? – Diarrhoea in adult horses is not a symptom of gastric ulcers but can be associated with gastric ulceration in foals.
Horses suffering from gastric ulceration have been found to exhibit reduced stride length, poor performance and reduced time to fatigue. Treatment studies have shown improvements after ulcer resolution. However, some horses do not show any symptoms whilst other horses may show extreme symptoms, but on gastroscopy, the severity of the ulcers does not correlate with the level of symptoms seen.
ESGD is caused by exposure to stomach acid and these types of ulcers form quickly. EGGD affects the lower 2/3 of the stomach with glandular ulcers being most frequently found in the antrum (the lowest 1/3 of the stomach). Ulcers in this area form slowly and reflect the failure of the mucous lining (Sykes et al., 2015) that protects the glandular tissue from stomach acid.
Symptoms
Many horses who have gastroscopic evidence of ulceration won’t show any symptoms, and therefore, will be considered healthy (Van den Boom, 2022). Despite this, prevalence and severity of ulceration has been found to be higher in horses showing symptoms (Murray et al., 1989).
Observations in horses suffering from EGUS usually include weight loss, poor body condition, and colic. Symptoms specifically associated with ESGD include changes in appetite, slowed eating, and poor performance.
Horses suffering with EGGD have less typical symptoms, for example, an aversion to girthing. However, the symptoms shown do not always correlate with the location of the ulcers as both ESGD and EGGD often occur concurrently (van den Boom 2022).
Prevalence
This disease does not solely affect performance horses and all types and populations of horses can suffer from gastric ulcers.
An abattoir study identified that 22% of feral horses suffered with EGUS (Ward, et al. 2015) and studies involving horses participating in university riding programmes found that up to 56% of them had gastric ulcers on endoscopy (Prinsloo et al., 2019). Research in high-level endurance horses has identified that 48% of this population suffer with EGUS and this number increases during the race season (Tamzali et al., 2011).
Whilst over 90% of racehorses are estimated to have gastric ulcers (Bell et al., 2017), the prevalence in non-racing disciplines ranges from 40 -60%.
Diagnosis
Gastroscopy is the only way to diagnose gastric ulceration in horses. Observation of symptoms is an unreliable way to diagnose gastric ulcers and should not be used as a marker for ulcer resolution. A repeat gastroscopy should be performed to confirm ulcer resolution. Gastroscopy also allows grading of the ulceration and will identify the region in which the ulcers are located.
Faecal blood / albumin testing for gastric ulcers is not recommended as bleeding from equine gastric ulcers is not a common or consistent finding (Andrews et al., 2015)
Risk Factors
Exposure of the squamous region to stomach acid occurs during exercise when the stomach contracts and the acid is forced up from the glandular region to the sensitive tissues in the upper region of the stomach (Lorenzno-Figueras & Merrit 2002). Exercising 5 or more days a week also considerably increases the risk of EGGD (Sykes et al., 2019) and this is thought to be due to altered gastric blood flow or physiological stress (Rendle et al., 2018). However, exercise intensity is not the only risk factor in development of EGGD (Luthersson et al., 2009).
Oral stereotypic behaviours are associated with EGUS however they are considered to be a coping mechanism, rather than a risk factor or direct influence (Sykes et al., 2019).
Risk factors for squamous ulcer formation are daytime forage deprivation (Luthersson et al., 2009), lack of access to water, high starch diets (Widenhouse et al., 2002) and stressful events (Buchanan & Andrews 2003) such as a change in environment, routine or travelling. Lack of contact with other horses has also been identified as a risk factor for the development of Equine Squamous Gastric Disease.
While the reasons why the mucosal lining fails are unknown, physical damage from course forage, ingestion of toxic plants or drugs, or altered mucus constituents due to bacterial or physiological means, are thought to be why ulcers occur in this region.
Heliobacteria pylori plays an important role in the development of gastric ulcers in humans and whilst Heliobacteria-like DNA has been observed in some horses with EGGS, not enough is yet know about bacterial contamination and its link to EGUS (Murray 2003).
Additional risk factors such as lack of social contact, inappropriate use of NSAID’s (Ricord et al., 2021; Whitfield-Cargile et al., 2021) and the number of handlers a horse has (Mönki et al., 2016) have all been identified as playing a role in development of EGUS. The number of handlers was shown to increase EGGD in ridden horses and is thought to be linked to stress.
Treatment
Squamous ulcers rarely heal spontaneously and require treatment (Andrews et al., 1999), especially if the horse is still in training. Some spontaneous healing of ulcers has been seen in horses with diet induced ESGD when the causative factors were removed (McGowan et al., 2011). However, lesions are unlikely to heal without medical intervention and healing of ulcers occurs more commonly and more rapidly in horses treated with Omeprazole (Murray et al., 1997).
Treating ESGD with Omeprazole for 28 days has been shown to end with the majority of lesions healing within 21 -28 days. When treating EGGD, higher success rates have been found when combining Omeprazole with sucralfate, a mucosal protectant, which increases the healing rate to 68% when used together for 8 weeks, at least (Sykes et al., 2015).
In recent studies, intramuscular injections of Omeprazole have shown good efficiency with healing rates of 97% (Gough et al., 2020).
EGUS has high recurrence rates and treatment should be accompanied by management changes which reduce the risk factors of EGUS (Buchanan & Andrews, 2003).
Feeding to prevent Gastric Ulcers
Diets containing additional calcium have been found to ameliorate the effects of the stomach acid on the squamous mucosa (Andrews et al., 2006).
Ensuring digestive comfort is important to allow our horses to thrive and perform to the best of their ability. Feedmark’s Ultimate Ease® is a unique blend of ingredients that supports comfortable and efficient digestion by providing complete support from the stomach to the hindgut.
The mineral salts: Calcium carbonate, Dicalcium phosphate, Magnesium hydroxide and Magnesium carbonate, work synergistically with the body to support a healthy gastric pH and soothe the mucosal lining of the stomach and small intestine. Lecithin is highly hydrophobic (water hating) whilst Pectin forms a gel-like substance that binds to bile acids when exposed to an acidic environment (Venner et al., 1999; Ferrucci et al., 2003). When combined, Lecithin and Pectin support the natural protective mucosa of the stomach which is known to become irritated by high concentrate diets, medications, and stress (Lo Feudo et al., 2021; van der Boom, 2022).
Support for the sensitive microbial population in the hindgut is provided by the unique combination of pre-, pro-, and postbiotics in Ultimate Ease®. The prebiotics Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) provide food sources for beneficial bacteria that are responsible for fermenting fibrous foodstuffs the horse eats. The probiotic YeaSacc® provides a supply of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) which is an important component of the microbial population, and which stimulates the cellulolytic activity of bacteria within the hindgut, optimising fibre fermentation (Medina et al., 2002). Saccharomyces cerevisiae also promotes activity of bacteria that utilise lactate (Rossi et al., 1995), and so help to stabilise the hindgut. Postbiotics are the next generation of fermentation products and are now included in Ultimate Gastro-Ease®, strengthening the gastrointestinal support you can provide to your horses.
Postbiotics are defined as “inanimate microorganisms and/or their compounds that confer health benefits to the host” (ISAPP Consensus, 2021). The postbiotic used in Ultimate Ease® includes cell components and metabolites* which have been shown to positively benefit the bacteria within the horse’s gut.
Research has shown increased volatile fatty acid production by horses fed the postbiotic, demonstrating a positive outcome on fibre fermentation, especially of high-fibre forages (Morgan et al., 2007). This makes it particularly beneficial for horses and ponies fed low calorie, high fibre diets for metabolic or weight management reasons. Bacteria species within the hindgut were also more consistent in horses fed the postbiotic compared to those fed a control diet (Ganda et al., 2022), making it beneficial for keeping the hindgut stable and reducing digestive disturbance. Research has also shown improved immunity in horses fed postbiotics, making the new Ultimate Ease® formulation beneficial for all horses and ponies (Trench et al., 2021).
Further supporting immunity are Kaolin and specialised beta glucans which bind to pathogens**, helping to keep the gut healthy. The amino acid Glutamine also provides an energy source to immune cells ensuring optimal function.
With an aromatic and settling mint aroma, Ultimate Ease® provides a highly palatable unique combination of ingredients suitable for all horses and ponies with additional digestive, gastric and hindgut needs.
References
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