Understanding the significance of your horse's gut health is paramount. It is a topic I consistently bring up during equine bodywork sessions. The digestive system plays a pivotal role in your horse's overall well-being, influencing various aspects such as the immune system, fertility, behavioral and mental health, energy metabolism, hoof health, and weight management, to name a few.
Hindgut ulcers, attributed to factors like stress, hindgut acidosis, NSAID use, parasites, and disruptions to the gut microbiome, can be managed through dietary interventions.(Bazay 2021) Gastric ulcers, often caused by intense training or prolonged forage restriction, require attention to prevent recurrence and support healing.(Darani 2020)
Identifying ulcers is crucial, as horses with both Hindgut and Gastric Ulcershindgut ulcers may exhibit signs like those found in the image below:
Ulcers are uncomfortable for horses, impacting their performance and well-being, and as one of my favorite sayings goes, “You can't train pain.” The connection between stress, pain, and the likelihood of ulcers creates a cycle that can be challenging to break. However, incorporating proper nutrition, forage, and routine bodywork, including Pulse PEMF therapy and massage, has proven effective in reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and enhancing circulation.
Ensuring your horse is comfortable inside and out is a massive key to success. So, how do ulcers and bodywork go together? Ulcers can be a vicious cycle; if your horse is stressed, in pain, or on NSAIDs, your horse is more likely to end up with ulcers. However, utilizing appropriate nutrition and forage and even implementing proper routine bodywork, such as Pulse PEMF therapy and massage, has been proven to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and increase circulation.
To proactively help prevent ulcers in horses, prioritize the following measures:
- Forage: Ensure your horse has constant access to forage. This mimics their natural grazing behavior and helps buffer stomach acid.
- Proper Nutrition: Provide a balanced diet tailored to your horse's specific needs. Consult with a nutritionist or veterinarian to create an optimal feeding plan.
- Veterinary Care: Regular veterinary check-ups are essential. Work closely with your vet to monitor your horse's health and discuss preventive measures for ulcers.
- Ulcer Treatments: If your veterinarian recommends incorporating ulcer treatments as part of your horse's care routine.
- Bodywork: Routine Bodywork helps manage stress, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation, just to list a few benefits.
While some consider bodywork a luxury reserved for horse shows or specific seasons, it should be integral to your horse's wellness program. While it doesn't replace veterinary care, routine bodywork helps manage stress by reducing cortisol levels. Cortisol, released in response to stress, lowers prostaglandin production, protecting the stomach lining against acid. Without sufficient prostaglandins, the stomach lining becomes vulnerable to ulcers. (“How Does Stress Cause Ulcers in Horses?”) By integrating consistent bodywork into your horse's regimen, you contribute to stress reduction, inflammation control, and improved circulation, breaking the cycle of ulcers and promoting overall well-being.
Bodywork for Ulcer Prevention:
What I recommend to help strengthen your horse's well-being and take a proactive stance against ulcers, incorporate the following practices:
1. Pulse PEMF Therapy:
Integrate Pulse PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) Therapy to help boost circulation, induce relaxation, and alleviate soreness and inflammation. Operating at the cellular level, PEMF therapy helps aid the body in its natural healing and repair processes.
2. Equine Massage:
Include regular and correct equine massage in your toolkit, as it can increase circulation, relieve tension, reduce inflammation, and contribute to overall well-being.
3. Funky Unicorn's Gastric Support Antacid Chews:
As a novel addition, I am a massive fan of Funky Unicorn's newest product, Gastric Support Antacid Chews. These chews are designed to ease gastric irritation during times of immediate stress by assisting in reducing gastric pH levels. The recommended dosage and frequency vary based on your horse's weight.
If you're interested in trying Funky Unicorn's innovative Antacid Chews or their other electrolyte treats, you can use my promo code BEMtherapy10 at checkout for an exclusive 10% discount: Funky Unicorn Promo
And as an added fun fact: Did you know there were GI points on your horse's body? When your horse has ulcers, I have found they can also be tight in the Longissimus, Transverse Abdominis, Psoas, Brachiocephalic, Pectorals, Rectus Abdominis, Internal Abdominal Oblique, Tensor Fascia Lattae, and Obliques. This also correlates to some GI accu-points.
By seamlessly incorporating either or both of these bodywork modalities and this great innovative support chew, you establish a holistic approach that addresses existing issues and serves as a robust preventive measure to help your horse against ulcers. When integrated into your horse's routine, these practices contribute to overall health, reduce stress, and create an environment conducive to well-being.
*Always consult with a qualified veterinarian to ensure a comprehensive and tailored approach for your horse's specific needs.
If you're ready to discuss how I can best help you, your horse, or your pets, don't hesitate to contact Rachel at 954-821-8966. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram!
References:
Bazay,Casie BS, NBCAAMM (March 29,2021). Hindgut Ulcers in Horses. MadBarn. https://madbarn.com/hindgut-ulcers-in-horses/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
Darani,Priska . Ph.D.(17 Jun., 2020). 7 Common Causes of Gastric Ulcers in Horses. MadBarn. https://madbarn.com/equine-gastric-ulcers/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
Dicks, L., Botha, M., Dicks, E., & Botes, M. (2014). The equine gastrointestinal tract: An overview of the microbiota, disease and treatment. Livestock Science, 160, 69-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.11.025
Destrez, Alexandra, et al. "Dietary-induced Modulation of the Hindgut Microbiota Is Related to Behavioral Responses during Stressful Events in Horses." Physiology & Behavior, vol. 202, 2019, pp. 94-100, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.02.003. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
Richardson, Karen, and J. Murray. "Fiber for Performance Horses: A Review." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, vol. 46, 2016, pp. 31-39, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.02.234. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
“How Does Stress Cause Ulcers in Horses?” Abler, 2015, www.abler.com/blog/horse-gastric-ulcer/stress-and-gastric-ulcers-in-horses. Accessed 24 Dec. 2023.