As a horse owner, ulcers have not been my line of country, to date – that is, very little personal experience. Years ago a past horse had one obvious go-round. Vet set up a treatment routine, I followed through, and it became a non-issue. I understand that there may still have been some level of ulcers.
Here on COTH threads I’ve read some great stuff on ulcer diagnosis and treatment.
Also got the impression that regular vet-school issue vets, with standard practice background, may not be that schooled on ulcers, although they do catch and act on obvious cases.
If a vet diagnosis may not recognize a less obvious case, what is the best way forward to diagnosis and treatment? What can vets do, what should expectations be? What other diagnosis/treatment channels are recommended?
Two horses in my universe (different board barns), geldings in their early teens, both well-schooled in the basics, have regressed in their riding behavior in the last few months, without much explanation as to why. This behavior is new for both. They live fairly relaxed lives with moderate and forgiving expectations. Both live out in apprx-two-acre pastures with a small herd (4 to 5 horses) with supplemental forage. Both like their pasture-mates and get along well. Same general riding schedule, 3-4x weekly, basic walk-trot-canter work for 30-40 minutes, with occasional ‘real’ basic dressage. Occasional light “trail” rides outside the ring for variation. Not showing/competing. They get a lot of human attention and great care. From the outside it looks as if they are living the life. Different horses, about 20 miles from each other, similar routines and riders. Similar things are happening. Other horses of their groups are not displaying these issues.
Each is being ridden by people who have long and uneventful horse & riding experience. That is, competent hunt-seat riders whose history of horses have had no wrecks or real training issues.
For both, since August/September until now (December), possible pain symptoms come up while riding. Mostly sudden balkiness with ears back and head tossing. This tends to display at the beginning of the ride, but with gentle asking the horse will work out of it within 5 minutes or so. Then there is a pleasant ride for 15 minutes or so, then the behavior can come back. The calm, unfussed rider patiently works through things as the horse plants in place for a moment or two. Some head tossing, horse is tense and unhappy. Then each will relax, start responding again to the rider, and be good to go again for another 10 minutes or so. That’s the end of ride time – especially picking a point to end when the behavior isn’t happening (not reward it hopefully).
For both, vets have checked spine & joints, basic PPE-type soundness exams, and say they find no issues. Neither vet had any other suggestions other than ‘behavior’.
From reading COTH I’ve learned that ulcers are more of a prevalent problem than many of us realize. Maybe ulcers should be the next avenue of exploration?
Your advice, thoughts, guidance, experience, etc.? Other questions to ask? Where and how to start a truly effective ulcer diagnosis (or clear report) that results in a true exploration?
If there is a particularly good past thread or post you think is worth a link, that’s appreciated, too.
Thanks all for your wisdom! 
