HORSES · OWNER EDUCATION
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
Stomach ulcer disease can contribute to poor appetite, behavior change and reduced performance, but these signs are not specific.
THE SHORT VERSION
Understanding supports better veterinary conversations.
Stomach ulcer disease can contribute to poor appetite, behavior change and reduced performance, but these signs are not specific. Similar signs can have very different causes, so the animal's species, husbandry, examination findings and diagnostic results all matter.
What is this condition?
Stomach ulcer disease can contribute to poor appetite, behavior change and reduced performance, but these signs are not specific. Similar signs can have very different causes, so the animal's species, husbandry, examination findings and diagnostic results all matter.
Which animals can be affected?
Risk factors, examination findings and management can differ between species and individual patients.
Why can it happen?
- Acid exposure, feeding pattern, intense exercise, transport and stress.
- Different stomach regions have different risk factors and treatment needs.
What might an owner notice?
- Reduced appetite, girth sensitivity, behavior change or poor performance.
- Weight loss, recurrent mild colic or poor body condition.
How is the problem investigated?
- History and examination with gastroscopy for a reliable diagnosis.
- Assessment for other causes of pain, weight loss or poor performance.
What might treatment involve?
- Veterinarian-directed acid suppression or other medication based on ulcer location.
- Forage access, feeding and training changes tailored to the horse.
This is an overview, not a prescription or a recommendation for a specific individual animal.
What can owners do at home?
- Record appetite, water intake, waste output, activity, breathing and body weight when it is safe to do so.
- Photograph the enclosure, food labels or flock environment and bring a concise timeline to the veterinary visit.
- Follow the veterinarian's exact instructions for medication, feeding, isolation, rechecks and environmental correction.
Avoid actions that could make care less safe.
- Do not give human medication, leftover antibiotics, livestock medication or another animal's treatment without veterinary direction.
- Do not force-feed an animal that is struggling to breathe, cannot swallow, is severely weak or may have an obstruction.
- Do not delay care when appetite, breathing, urination, movement or responsiveness changes rapidly.
What can the longer-term outlook involve?
The outlook varies with the cause, severity, how quickly care begins and whether the animal's environment or nutrition can be corrected.
Can risk be reduced?
- Provide species-appropriate nutrition, housing, sanitation and preventive veterinary care.
- Learn the individual's normal appetite, behavior, body condition and waste pattern so change is recognized early.
When should you arrange care?
- Contact a veterinarian promptly for reduced appetite, girth sensitivity, behavior change or poor performance. or weight loss, recurrent mild colic or poor body condition..
- Arrange reassessment if signs recur, treatment is not working or another animal becomes affected.
Seek emergency veterinary care if you notice:
SEEK EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE- Severe colic, collapse, repeated rolling or black tarry manure.
Sources behind this guide
VeterinaryPartner — client education from the Veterinary Information NetworkPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗American Association of Equine Practitioners: horse-owner resourcesPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗Content last reviewed: September 17, 2026. Review status: veterinary-informed; independent veterinarian review not yet completed.