I’ve heard that omeprazole has been linked to an increased risk of bone fractures. Is that just based on human studies, or is it also true for horses? I’ve also heard concerns about its potential impact on calcium absorption.
My vet dropped off a bottle of omeprazole last week at my trainer’s suggestion, but I’ve been hesitant to start it because I hate having to fast him for a few hours each day. I’ve also read studies suggesting that omeprazole may interfere with calcium absorption and potentially weaken bones.
Are there any downsides to giving omeprazole if a horse doesn’t actually have ulcers? My horse wasn’t scoped, but both my trainer and vet suggested trying it based on some symptoms he’s been showing. I’m just not sure if some of those behaviors are simply part of his personality.
He’s at a healthy weight, has a good appetite, and always has a shiny coat. He’s never grouchy—he’s actually very sweet—but he does crib. He only cribs when he’s eating; every few bites or so, he’ll grab onto the wood and suck in air. He also tosses his head sometimes while riding, in his stall, or in the pasture. I’m not sure if that’s just him—he mostly does it when he’s about to be fed, if something spooks him, or when he’s feeling fresh or excited.
He’s also been on and off grouchy about having the girth tightened. Sometimes he kicks underneath himself when I tighten it, and sometimes he doesn’t. That behavior is odd because, during the first year I had him, he was never girthy at all—so it’s definitely a noticeable change.
I’m wondering if it could be a saddle fit issue. I haven’t had the saddle fitter come back out to refit the saddle to him, and that saddle was originally fitted to another horse. I have the saddle fitter scheduled to come out this week to take a look, and while my trainer feels like the saddle fits him pretty well—and I thought so too—it’s still worth checking.
When my vet came out, she checked his ulcer points. He didn’t react to the point near the girth, but he was very reactive at the withers. She said that could also be a sign of saddle discomfort. However, she checked the rest of his back for pressure points and he didn’t react—only at the withers. So she suspects it could be a twofold issue: both ulcers and saddle fit.
My concern is, what if it’s not ulcers? Could giving omeprazole cause more harm than good if there isn’t an underlying issue for it to treat? Or is it one of those situations where it doesn’t hurt to try?
He’s also had a lot of changes over the past couple of months—switching barns and feed. At the previous barn, he wasn’t given any hay, just hay cubes three times a day. So maybe there’s already a higher chance of him developing ulcers from that alone?
