Stomach Ulcers?

[Bonkey]

Anyone had any experience?

I have my suspicions about my new boy. Can't get the weight on him at all and he is incredibly sensitive and had a rough few months so has been very stressed up until recently.
Also a ex-racer who I am told are quite prone?

Had him nearly three weeks so still early days...I have a vet coming in aug for jabs and what not, so will pick their brains too then but just wondered if anyone had any experience , or knew anything to watch out for?

They are believed to be quite common and cause problems like weight loss, sensitivity around the belly area including kicking out when groomed or when using the leg aid, some horses react to the girth being tightened or to being ridden. The good news is that it is very easy to find out if a horse has ulcers by getting them scoped. The cost is about 200-300 pounds but you'd have to confirm with your vet practice.

If a horse does have ulcers the only medication that works is Gastroguard. That is the bad news as it is very expensive. Some horses are fine with a few weeks of treatment, others need repeat treatments especially at times of stress like traveling and some horses need a maintenance dose for life. Management changes can also help, i.e. Turn out to grass 24/7, feed small amounts of chaff/alpha alpha half an hour before riding and minimising stress factors.

Hello

I have heard that aloe vera is very good for horses with ulcers - if you contact Mary at Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre she may be able to offer some help and advise, that was where I heard about the aloe vera. i was going to mention Gastroguard but I see you have already been advised on that.

Gastroguard.... omeprazole? And this is expensive for horses? Curious. Its being sold at boots for £2 a pack for humans over the counter (of course not fit for equine consumption, but I'm still a bit surprised how this suddenly becomes £160).

Firstly, omeprazole is the same drug used for humans with the same condition, a so called proton pump inhibitor.... in summary and to spare all of the body/micro chemical details: it prevents stomach acid from being produced as much and hence allows the ulcer(s) to heal. It has been my saving grace for some years now.

Gastroguard is the only drug licensed for equine use. I know some people who import omeprazole from the US for their horses but with mixed results (all anecdotal though). Not sure why the human version is not used, my horses have never had ulcers, my information is second hand from friends.

Ok the internet suggests you would need ten packets of human dose omeprazole per day to treat a horse. Would one be able to get that much long term without a prescription?

Sorry I missed out half the info. The horse needs 2 grams per day, so 100 tablets in the tablet format apparently.