Gastric ulcers in horses

Abstract

Abstract Gastric ulcers are common in horses resulting in decreased performance and economic loss to the industry. Ulcers usually occur in the nonglandular mucosa of the stomach, which lacks adequate protection against the harmful effect of stomach acids. Also, performance horses are fed high hydrolyzable carbohydrate (grain) diets, which lower stomach pH and serve as substrates for resident fermentative bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp. By-products of these bacteria include organic acids (VFA and lactic acid) that cause injury to the mucosa. This manuscript reviews the anatomy and barrier function of the stomach, and the causes and risk factors for development of gastric ulcers in horses.