Ulcers ☹️

[ThePlumVan]

Horse scoped 6 weeks ago and showing grade 3/4s - has had 6 weeks treatment and rescoping tomorrow and I’m so worried about it.
Has anyone gone through this, and what experiences have resulted from a course of treatment - good or bad ?

Also, horse on full livery and is sometimes left with insufficient hay for the night (I’ve previously posted about care package) - how significant could these grazing- free periods have on ulcers forming ?

Stabled with insufficient hay will unfortunately probably do it. Horses digestive systems depend on eating about 23 hours a day. Denying adlib forage is a complete failure of taking care of their welfare and no amount of gastroguard will help (ask anyone that’s ever dealt with in training racehorses) I’d move the horse.

Go on horse and hound forum and search for ulcers. You'll get far more information on there than on here.

Prognosis is pretty good with ulcers these days but he will require very careful management and vigilance from now on, prevention is much better than cure and 101 of ulcer prevention is plentiful, good quality ad-lib forage, he needs to be eating at all times really including overnight so if your current yard can't provide I think you need to move him to somewhere either with 24/7 grazing or that provides ample high quality hay (it's no good if it's shit stuff if yours is picky) if stabling overnight in winter is essential. If he has weight issues as well (I've had the lovely combo of ulcers and good-doers in the past, it can happen) or will gobble his food too quickly than you need somewhere that will accommodate trickle nets and other management strategies as well, some full liveries are just so fixed in their ways it's frustrating when your horse has 'additional needs'...

I’ve had a pony with ulcers. It’s not just about treatment it’s about prevention. Before each ride feed some chaff with water. Ensure stressful moments are kept to a minimum. Full recovery. But always watch out for early symptoms. We also gave a small gastroguard dosage every couple of days for a while. Feel free to message me

I have a pony recovered from nasty ulcers BUT he is on full livery on a yard with brilliant management - his regime has totally changed since diagnosis and treatment. He is turned out as much as possible - the plan was for him to live out 24/7 and only come in for a few hours for a haynet or overnight if the weather was horrendous however, currently on bloody box rest though for another issue. But when stabled is never without hay. He is also on specialist feed and supplements to manage his ulcers. He's a different pony now they are under control. Correct management following treatment is vital.

Thanks for great replies and just to update you that the treatment actually worked ! Rescope showed all ulcers had cleared up which I really wasn’t expecting.
Have since moved horse to a lovely yard too, just wish I’d done it sooner