Equine gastric ulcer syndrome: risk factors and therapeutic aspects
Authors: José Ramón Martínez Aranzalez, G. Alves
Journal: Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias
Summary
# Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome: Risk Factors and Therapeutic Approaches Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) represents a complex of overlapping pathologies affecting the oesophageal, gastric and duodenal mucosa, with multifactorial aetiologies including work intensity, feeding management, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and the horse's unique anatomophysiological characteristics—particularly the continuous acid secretion into an unprovided stomach during periods away from forage. Martínez Aranzalez and Alves reviewed the epidemiological landscape and current understanding of EGUS pathogenesis, emphasising how horses' natural grazing patterns and digestive physiology interact with intensive management systems to create sustained risk. The authors highlight that whilst combined therapeutic strategies—integrating pharmacological treatment, dietary modification and environmental management—form the cornerstone of both prevention and recovery, significant gaps remain in the literature regarding true prevalence rates, characterisation of predisposing factors across different populations, and development of cost-effective alternatives to expensive pharmaceutical interventions. For equine professionals, this emphasises that EGUS management cannot rely on single interventions; rather, addressing feeding frequency, turnout, exercise schedules and stress alongside targeted medical therapy offers the best clinical outcomes and represents an opportunity for practitioners to integrate evidence-based management protocols with economically sustainable solutions.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Evaluate and modify multiple risk factors simultaneously (work intensity, feeding practices, medication use, housing) rather than addressing EGUS with single-intervention treatments
- •Prevention through appropriate management and environmental modifications is as important as medical treatment; consider the horse's anatomophysiological constraints when designing management systems
- •Current standard therapies may be cost-prohibitive; advocate for research into affordable treatment options and collaborate with veterinarians on individualized prevention protocols for your yard
Key Findings
- •EGUS is highly prevalent in horses due to multifactorial risk factors including activity type, feed management, and anti-inflammatory therapies
- •Anatomophysiological peculiarities of horses combined with excessive demands in different management systems predispose to gastric ulceration
- •Combined therapeutic, management, and environmental strategies are essential for both prevention and treatment of EGUS
- •Further epidemiological studies and low-cost therapeutic alternatives are needed for EGUS management