Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark

Abstract

This study has confirmed that components of the diet, readily modifiable, may have an important impact on the risk of EGUS in the nonracehorse. Differences in the multivariable models produced for all ulcers and nonglandular ulcers support differences in the aetiology of ulcers in different locations of the stomach.

European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement—Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Adult Horses

“…Intermittent access to water increases the risk of EGUS as it has been shown that horses without access to water in their paddock are more than 2.5 times more likely to have EGUS ≥ 2/5 than horses with constant access to water 24. This was the case for both ESGD or EGUS in all parts of the stomach.…”

“…Of those available, significant associations have been shown between ESGD and individual trainers, a metropolitan yard location (horses trained in urban areas were 3.9 × more likely to have gastric ulcers), a lack of direct contact with other horses, solid barriers instead of rails, and talk rather than music radio in the barn 23. Straw feeding and a lack of access to water in the paddock have been associated with an increased risk of EGUS in general 24. Further large scale work is required to better understand the epidemiologic factors which influence disease development, particularly EGGD which is largely unstudied at this point in time.…”

“…Together, these findings suggest that that the impact of forage feeding in the absence of other risk factor reduction might not be as great as previously believed. There is an increased likelihood of ESGD (severity score ≥2/5) when straw is the only forage provided24 suggesting that forage type might also be important. An increased time between forage meals (>6 hours between meals), compared with more frequent forage feeding (<6 hours between meals) increases the likelihood of ESGD 24…”

“…There is a marked increase in ulceration when nonexercising animals are stabled and fed grain at 1% of BW, 1 hour before hay is fed 30. Similarly, exceeding 2 g/kg BW of starch intake per day is associated with an approximately 2‐fold increase in the likelihood of ESGD grade ≥2/5 24. ESGD developed in all horses within 14 days of their removal from pasture, stabling (fed 6 kg concentrate feed/day) and entering a simulated training regimen 31…”

“…Grains like barley and oats can be substituted to decrease fermentation to VFAs. The diet should not exceed 2 g/kg bodyweight of starch intake per day or more than 1 g/kg bodyweight of starch per meal 24. Concentrate meals should not be fed less than 6 hours apart 39…”