Exercising Horse with Ulcers

[luckycricket123]

@Fharoah

I knew a friends horse who died of colic related to the worst ulcers. My friend didn’t know her horse had ulcers or she would have treated, they did a obtopsy. Horses can be really stoic and the best way to be certain is to do a scope. The scope costs less than the treatment. I scoped my horse as it is very hard to tell if he has ulcers. I asked my vet proir to scheduling if she thought he had ulcers and she said no, he had a shine to his coat, good weight, good appetite no sensitivity. I had him scoped anyways and he had mild ulcers which I had treated him for. I would finish the 30 day treatment then consider a follow up scope to make sure your horse is truly ulcer free.

If her horse has hindgut ulcers or acidosis, a scope won’t catch it. Scopes can only see stomach ulcers.

It’s still worth following up with a vet though, ulcers can be devolidebili and they do increase the risk of colic.

Millie, my ulcery horse never had trouble with the farrier, that may be something else entirely or maybe your horse is just feeling all around unwell because of ulcers. It’s at least worth a call or email to your vet.

[Lostcoast]

Currently have mine on Gastroguard(a week) and Ritetrac, and yes he did have bad issues with farrier in the past when he was shod. He is back to barefoot by his choice, me trimming with no problem. He has shown good improvement on his balky threaten to rear head flinging behavior. He was pokey but fine on lunge or walking under saddle, trot and canter brought on escalating bad behavior.

[caryledee]

@Millie123

Hi - been reading this thread and I believe my horse has hindgut acidosis. She had gastric ulcers which have been treated and cleared but she was still unhappy to trot or canter under saddle but will happily lunge so we are about to start her on succeed. However has anyone here also seen additional symptoms of horse being unhappy to be shod? Mine is clearly struggling with front and hind and is recent but usual farrier

I had good luck with Equishure with hindgut ulcers. I started to see a difference after a few days. But have you had back and SI checked? I would look into other reasons for this as none of my ulcery horses had issues being shod or trimmed. And with a mare you always have to consider reproductive issues as well. Good luck!

[Lippy_gal]

My guy was extremely reactive to me touching left side when girthing, and making horrible “hiccup” noises when I did so, and when I rode him away at a walk to check out things, he threw his head and repeatedly did the same thing, along with being extremly overreactive when I touched his left side asking for LY. So, went in and had him scoped. Interesting watching the whole procedure. He had two different types of ulcers and we are on 3 different drugs for 30 days, and hopefully when he is scoped again in 30 days, they will be healed. That said, you really don’t know what you are dealing with if they are not scoped. And, they need to be 100% addressed and cured. He has been on the meds for 4 days and I rode him today for the first time, and he was wonderful moving, and happy as a clam. They are such delicate creatures, and we need to listen to them. He’s on Gastrogard in the morning, then another med. (pink pills), don’t recall the name, 10 of them soaked and syringed into his mouth 20-30 min. after the Gastrogard, then, he can eat 1 hr. after the Gastrogard, along with 5 little white pills, whatever they are called. I think my vet is spot on always, and has the best interest of my equine partner.