Maintaining gastric health in the competition horse

Summary

# Maintaining Gastric Health in the Competition Horse Competition horses face unique nutritional and management challenges that increase their vulnerability to gastric ulceration, a condition that can significantly impact performance, behaviour and overall welfare. Hardy's 2017 review synthesises current understanding of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in athletic populations, examining both the physiological mechanisms underlying ulcer development and evidence-based management strategies to mitigate risk. Key practical interventions discussed include optimising feed timing and composition, increasing forage intake, reducing stress-related risk factors, and judicious use of gastric protectants—particularly proton pump inhibitors—where dietary modification alone proves insufficient. The findings emphasise that prevention through management is substantially more cost-effective and welfare-friendly than treating established disease, with particular relevance for horses in intensive training schedules or those experiencing frequent transportation and competition stress. For farriers, vets, physiotherapists and nutritionists working with competition horses, integrating gastric health considerations into holistic management protocols—including assessment of training intensity, feeding practices and environmental stressors—offers a straightforward route to supporting both performance and long-term soundness.

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Key Findings

• •Competition horses are at elevated risk for gastric health problems due to training and competition stress
• •Gastric health maintenance requires multifactorial approach addressing management, nutrition, and stress
• •Preventive strategies are more cost-effective than treating established gastric disease

Conditions Studied