Preventative Diet for Stomach Ulcers
So it seems there is a large gap in my horse-health knowledge where stomach ulcers are concerned. I've just never encountered them! But started reading up about them, and have realized that a few horses I've worked with may have had ulcers or been at risk of them, including my own!
The more I'm learning about ulcers, the more it sounds like something my horse has! (I'm a hypochondriac by proxy!). He fits the bill for 'at risk'- TB, bit of a worrier, has had weight issues, although that's mostly under control now. Also I've noticed lately, he's very grumpy around feed time (Which is new-ish) and although he's always a grump, he's been a bit worse, he's more girthy than usual, and has been more spooky/reluctant undersaddle (Normally not spooky at all!). The spookiness could be put down to lack of work/too much energy, but the other stuff is making me consider stomach ulcers. However, he's at a good weight for him, and its shiny and bright eye'd. Had an osteo out to him yesterday and she said he's good, no major things out of whack. She did say stomach ulcers are a possibility, but to try him on a preventative diet and maybe some supplements and see if that helps, rather than going down the HUGELY expensive scope and treatment route.
Google has taught me much, so far I understand that fiber is very important (I feed him as much fiber/hay as possible anyway) and to avoid feeds that are high in sugar.
Does anyone feed an 'ulcer prevention' diet? Are their any supplements that are helpful (I've seen oat flour and a few other things mentioned around), is there any feedstuffs that should be completely avoided? (High acidity? Is vinegar ok? Molasses?)
Currently I feed him: Two scoops beet pulp, 1 scoop Redmills Conditioning Mix (Irish brand, high in protein and oil) and some extra sunflower oil. AM and PM. Sometimes he also gets some alfalfa mush, vinegar or linseed meal.
I also feed him a large pile of hay at night, and he's turned out all day.
I'm not at 'OMG MY HORSIE HAS ULCERS MUST DO SOMETHINGZZZ!' stage, since the osteo I'm not as worried, also he seems to have given up the girthy-ness/grumpy a little bit (He'll always be a grump in some way), but would like to learn more about ulcers, and since he does get a little belly sore at times, hopefully prevent him from getting serious case of ulcers.
Thanks guys!
The more I'm learning about ulcers, the more it sounds like something my horse has! (I'm a hypochondriac by proxy!). He fits the bill for 'at risk'- TB, bit of a worrier, has had weight issues, although that's mostly under control now. Also I've noticed lately, he's very grumpy around feed time (Which is new-ish) and although he's always a grump, he's been a bit worse, he's more girthy than usual, and has been more spooky/reluctant undersaddle (Normally not spooky at all!). The spookiness could be put down to lack of work/too much energy, but the other stuff is making me consider stomach ulcers. However, he's at a good weight for him, and its shiny and bright eye'd. Had an osteo out to him yesterday and she said he's good, no major things out of whack. She did say stomach ulcers are a possibility, but to try him on a preventative diet and maybe some supplements and see if that helps, rather than going down the HUGELY expensive scope and treatment route.
Google has taught me much, so far I understand that fiber is very important (I feed him as much fiber/hay as possible anyway) and to avoid feeds that are high in sugar.
Does anyone feed an 'ulcer prevention' diet? Are their any supplements that are helpful (I've seen oat flour and a few other things mentioned around), is there any feedstuffs that should be completely avoided? (High acidity? Is vinegar ok? Molasses?)
Currently I feed him: Two scoops beet pulp, 1 scoop Redmills Conditioning Mix (Irish brand, high in protein and oil) and some extra sunflower oil. AM and PM. Sometimes he also gets some alfalfa mush, vinegar or linseed meal.
I also feed him a large pile of hay at night, and he's turned out all day.
I'm not at 'OMG MY HORSIE HAS ULCERS MUST DO SOMETHINGZZZ!' stage, since the osteo I'm not as worried, also he seems to have given up the girthy-ness/grumpy a little bit (He'll always be a grump in some way), but would like to learn more about ulcers, and since he does get a little belly sore at times, hopefully prevent him from getting serious case of ulcers.
Thanks guys!