If I could afford Succeed or kamanimalservices.com, I would be able to afford Ulcergard! I’m looking for something that isn’t more than $2.50 per day, tops, that will keep the ulcers away. Too bad an apple won’t do the trick like it does for doctors 
I think alfalfa helps. I found a few studies (research–not ads) that showed just a few lbs of Alfalfa a day can really help buffer the tummy. Its the calcium and protein–2 really great buffers. Its fairly cheap, it replaces some grain, and if you soak it you can get some water in there too–always a good thing:)
I would feed 1/2 lb before working the horse to protect his upper stomach from splashing acids. Thats doable and not too much $$$$$ or bother? Cubes or chopped bagged can be found anywhere. . . . . .
I can afford Succeed and kamanimalcult.com but there’s no way in HE** I would pay for their products without some VERY compelling proof that they work.
I tried Succeed after I found someone selling several buckets that they had won in a contest for $50ish instead of $95. I saw no difference in my mare but she was already on an ulcer management diet.
Over the past year, I have tried Gastro, G.U.T., Succeed and plain ole Brewer’s Yeast. I can’t say that I’ve noticed much of a difference in my horse while on any of them. However, I am paranoid enough that I do keep her on the Brewer’s Yeast since it is only about $15/month and pro-biotics never do any harm.
horsegirl, I think what many of us are saying is that no one has come up anything that will likely cure the ulcers other than Gastrogard. The reason is that they have buffered it in a way that it works all day long. If you go to another product that works in a similar way, you have to give it every 6-8 hours - that means in the middle of the night for most. If a couple hours too long go by without it working, you have acid again and you’re wasting your money. If the Gastrogard didn’t work, then either he wasn’t on it long enough or management didn’t change enough to keep him from getting them back. Since he is a show horse and I assume is in training most if not all of the year, he is a high risk category. Any antacid type product that works to interfere with acid production on a daily basis over the long run is probably going to do more harm than good. There are vets who believe that the result is that more acid is produced in the long run - the rebound effect. Try some of the management things that have been suggested - different hay, soaked alfalfa cubes, no training on an empty stomach, less grain and add some corn oil. If the ulcers are there, it’s a long shot that any of these things will get rid of them, but maybe your horse will respond - no one knows. These are things suggested to do once the ulcers are healed to minimize the chance of a reoccurence.
[QUOTE=deltawave;2914423]
I have no problem with feeding oil and think it’s a great addition for many horses and many reasons. But I object to the statement (casually flung around FAR too often) “it has been shown to…” on grounds of precision and accuracy. Just the scientist in me! 
Magazine articles (even the Horse Journal) are not RESEARCH.[/QUOTE]
It was actually done by Rutgers University I believe (the research I mean) and was in one of the mags I think PH and maybe the horse news for those of you on the east coast.
[QUOTE=cartera45;2918848]
horsegirl, I think what many of us are saying is that no one has come up anything that will likely cure the ulcers other than Gastrogard. The reason is that they have buffered it in a way that it works all day long. If you go to another product that works in a similar way, you have to give it every 6-8 hours - that means in the middle of the night for most. If a couple hours too long go by without it working, you have acid again and you’re wasting your money. If the Gastrogard didn’t work, then either he wasn’t on it long enough or management didn’t change enough to keep him from getting them back. Since he is a show horse and I assume is in training most if not all of the year, he is a high risk category. Any antacid type product that works to interfere with acid production on a daily basis over the long run is probably going to do more harm than good. There are vets who believe that the result is that more acid is produced in the long run - the rebound effect. Try some of the management things that have been suggested - different hay, soaked alfalfa cubes, no training on an empty stomach, less grain and add some corn oil. If the ulcers are there, it’s a long shot that any of these things will get rid of them, but maybe your horse will respond - no one knows. These are things suggested to do once the ulcers are healed to minimize the chance of a reoccurence.[/QUOTE]
I understand that Gastrogard/Ulcergard is the only thing that will cure ulcers. I’m looking for something that will keep them away after he is cured again, that doesn’t cost $8/day (Ulcergard).
TC Complete is a beet pulp based feed. He’s getting corn oil now, so hopefully we’ll be able to decrease his grain. Still on U-Gard and being treated with Ulcergard. I’m trying not to become a pain-in-the-butt boarder… so I really don’t want to resort to making absurd requests. He has free choice hay 24/7 and is turned out all day (in at night). He hasn’t been to a show since September… so nothing should really be “high” stress in his life right now.
Personally, I don’t think there is anything. You do have to be sure that he is cured and not just asymptomatic - that will mean rescoping to make sure the ulcers are gone. Then the best thing is to make the management changes. I would not put an ulcer free horse on any of the daily ulcer supps.
I am going though the same questions with my newbie. I feel your pain.
[QUOTE=AppJumpr08;2914004]
Free choice hay.[/QUOTE]
I’m sorry. I just blew boogers out my nose. I love COTH.
This sounded like one of those 1 liners I sometimes throw out there.
Seems when it comes to supplements/joint/tummys…we talk in circles. I often leave the boards more confused then when I arrived. There are so many opinions/trials/discussions.
BTW, does your saddle fit?
I suggest a fleece works pad, thinline pad, and 300 dollar contoured girth with sheepskin cover.
You also might need a chiropractor and massage therapist and most likely a new farrier.
(I have had a long terrible morning and am feeling sarcastic…can you tell?)
Hi All,
Just thought I would add to this thread that I am finally getting my guy scoped this Sat…so I will let you know what the vet says!
He’s a cribber and colics every month! (I posted a thread about him a while ago).
At any rate, I have tried many different things to get him to stop colicing and I zoned in on the fact that I think he has ulcers.
He only gets 1/4 scoop of SafeChoice grain with oil on top 2x per day. He is on Tractguard, which again is one of those antacid supp that claim it helps w/ ulcers…so if he still has ulcers, I won’t be using that product anymore and try something else.
I supp with beet pulp and alfalpha pellets (soaked) as his third meal.
So we’ll see what happens when we scope!
