Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses

Does Feeding Management Make a Difference to Behavioural Activities and Welfare of Horses Reared for Meat Production?

“…It is well known that a diet based on high amounts of concentrates causes important changes in the gastrointestinal environment of the horse, and represents a risk factor for the onset of gastric ulcerations [ 24 ] and colic [ 7 ]. Among the induced changes, the increased production of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and specifically that of valeric acid caused by a high starch diet, has been shown to reduce mucosal integrity, leading to inflammation processes in the stomach [ 39 , 40 ], small intestine, and hindgut [ 7 , 41 ]. Moreover, the intensive management condition—i.e., the high stocking density (m 2 /horse), the feeding management based on a starch-rich diet, and the lack of opportunity for free movement—causes stress, a known risk factor for gastric ulceration as well as for the onset of stereotypic behaviours in horses [ 42 ].…”

Body Condition Score Is Not Correlated to Gastric Ulcers in Non-Athlete Horses

“…In this study, a cohort of horses meeting at least one of the following inclusion criteria were enrolled: (1) horses showing clinical signs compatible with gastric lesions (recurrent colic, poor appetite or picky eating or weight loss, behavioral signs); (2) horses subjected to risk factors commonly associated with EGUS (e.g., changes in management or diet, pharmacological treatments, etc.) [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 12 , 21 , 22 ]. All horses were presented for evaluation at the request of the owner or the referring veterinarian, and gastroscopy was performed as part of the diagnostic workup.…”

“…Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease in equids, described in different populations with different prevalence [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The ECEIM Consensus Statement divided the disease into two different entities based on the involvement of either the squamous (equine squamous gastric disease, ESGD) or the glandular mucosa (equine glandular gastric disease, EGGD) [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]. Both disease entities have been associated with various clinical signs, ranging from exercise intolerance and poor performance to weight loss, inappetence, and recurrent colic.…”

“…Both disease entities have been associated with various clinical signs, ranging from exercise intolerance and poor performance to weight loss, inappetence, and recurrent colic. Many horses, however, do not show symptoms of disease [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 14 , 15 ]. The body condition score (BCS) relies on the evaluation of specific parts of the body to determine the amount of fat present.…”

“…This can happen in elite sports and racehorses under heavy training [ 19 ]. EGUS has been associated with different symptoms, including, among others, poor appetite or “picky eating”, poor BCS or weight loss, chronic diarrhea, and acute or recurrent colic [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]. Low BCS in horses with gastric ulcers could be related to the presence of recurrent colic, that can be seen especially after eating: this can lead to “picky eating”, decreased nutrient uptake and weight loss [ 1 , 2 ].…”