Preventative Diet for Stomach Ulcers

[thehomicidehoe]

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!

Comments

[megfuzzle]

alfalfa or alfalfa mix hay is about the only thing that is really proven to help ulcers -- I don't think that alfalfa alone will cure a bad case of them, but it certainly helps my gelding maintain.

I also give him beet pulp, more of a digestive helper than anything else.

That being said, UGuard/GastroGuard is the only thing I know of that actually TREATS them. I tried three different herbal supplements that did absolutely nothing for my horse. Others may have had other experiences, but my gelding only responded to the expensive stuff =/ He is SO MUCH happier without ulcers though, so it's a win/win/win.

[midnightsecret]

I second UGuard for treating ulcers. I know / ride 2 geldings who get bad uclers, and both have been wonderful since going on UGuard.

[bella_cheval]

My 17 year old QH mare is on UGard too and it works a treat.

[thehomicidehoe]

I did see some stuff about alfalfa being good for ulcers. Over hear alfalfa in stupidly expensive and can only be bought as chaff usually. The guy I share my yard with manages to buy is as pellets though and soaks them, I'll have to ask him where he gets them.

[k7point5]

Yup, Alfalfa products will neutralize stomach acid, which makes ulcers bother the horse less. Alfalfa acts like "Tums" for humans.

Other products that help:

Mylanta, or generic versions of that (again, high calcium neutralizes stomach acid)

Aloe vera juice

These things will not cure or heal existing ulcers. To do that, you need to treat them with gastrogard or another similar product.

Another option is this: http://www.abler.com/category/Gastric-Ulcer-Treatments

This product has gotten rave reviews on Chronicle of the Horse. Search their forums for "blue pop rocks" to read the reviews. Treatment is going to run you about $300 for this stuff, instead of $1200 for GastroGard.

[k7point5]

there are also feed through supplements available but quite honestly, you are throwing away your money until you actually treat the ulcers to heal them.

[k7point5]

just saw the thing about vinegar. I would absolutely stop feeding vinegar or anything highly acidic if you suspect ulcers.

[fishwithfeet]

Strangely, some people (namely, pregnant women in the forum I frequent) have said that if you're overproducing acid, adding an acidic food will calm the stomach down.

I have no idea if there's ANY grain of truth to that, and my biology degree is kinda going 'warning! bullshit!" but since I have heard it elsewhere, I could see why someone might suggest it for horses too.

[lurath]

My vet friend feeds her horse aloe vera juice and it seems to help him quite a bit.

[thehomicidehoe]

I have seen that mentioned. They must buy it in bulk though, right? I was in a shop yesterday and the 1l bottles pretty expensive

[lurath]

Yep! I've seen 5 gallon jugs for around 7 dollars or so.

[thehomicidehoe]

Oooh. I shall get my google on. I want that.

[landrews]

I'm totally enthusiastic about Harmonize- it's a feed through supplement developed by a vet and a nutritionist. On the front page of the site is pics of a before and after ulcer scoping. All the horses we've put on it (eleven now) have gone off all other supplements (including Gastro-guard) but joint, we've reduced their grain amounts and they *look* better. It's waaaay cheaper than Gastro-guard or what have you, costing about a dollar a day to feed. It's pelleted and apparently tasty and you feed 1/4 cup morning and evening. http://www.harmonizeyourhorse.com/

[thehomicidehoe]

I'll look into that, sounds interesting. I doubt they ship to europe, but its still good to read around

[colebaltblue]

UlcerGuard and U-Guard are two different products (although people often refer to them interchangeably). UlcerGuard is an expensive non-prescription medicinal paste that comes in a tube. You'd give it the day before and during stressful times (shipping, competition, etc.) for up to a month to prevent uclers from developing. It has omeprazole in it.

U-Guard is essentially pepto bismuth. It has kaolin, calcium, and magnesium. Kaolin is the main ingredient in Kaopectate. It's significantly cheaper and can be added to a horse's regular supplement routine as both a preventative and soother. The pink powder gets all over everything and everywhere.

If your horse has ulcers, he should be treated by a vet. However, U-Guard is a great, affordable, and easy way to add a preventative to his diet. If you take him anywhere, ship him, or something highly stressful is coming up, you might want to consider a dose or two of UlcerGuard