Gut Instinct: Identifying & Managing Ulcers in Performance Horses

Ulcers are the silent performance killer in show horses—common, often undiagnosed, and deeply disruptive to a horse’s comfort and behavior. At Sage Creek, we treat gut health as foundational to success—not a luxury or afterthought.

While endoscopic scoping remains the gold standard for diagnosis, many signs of ulcers can be observed behaviorally and physically with the right knowledge and attention. Here's how we identify and care for ulcer-prone horses in our program.

What Are Equine Gastric Ulcers?

Gastric ulcers are erosions or sores in the stomach lining, caused by an imbalance between digestive acids and the stomach's natural protective barriers. They’re common in:

• High-performance horses

• Horses in stall confinement

• Horses with irregular feeding schedules

• Horses under physical or emotional stress

Up to 60–90% of performance horses are estimated to have some level of gastric ulceration.

How to Identify Ulcers (Without Scoping)

While scoping is definitive, many owners and trainers spot ulcers through observable clinical signs. These include:

Behavioral Clues:

• Girthiness or irritability during grooming

• Resistance under saddle—tight back, bucking, balking

• Mood swings or sudden sourness

• Aggression in the stall or around food

• Decreased tolerance to pressure or leg aids

Physical Clues:

• Weight loss or trouble maintaining topline

• Dull coat or persistent skin issues

• Reduced appetite or fussy eating

• Loose or inconsistent manure

• Poor recovery after travel or showing

At Sage Creek, we train our eyes to look beneath the surface—reading behavior as communication, not disobedience.

Prevention Is Key: What We Do Differently

Preventing ulcers is about minimizing stress, stabilizing the gut, and honoring the horse’s natural biology. Our protocols include:

Free-Choice Forage & Porta-Grazers

Horses are designed to graze 16–18 hours per day. We use Porta-Grazers in every stall to support continuous access to forage, which buffers stomach acid and prevents the fasting periods that trigger ulcers.

Consistent Routines

We maintain structured schedules for feeding, turnout, and training—minimizing the cortisol spikes associated with unpredictability.

Travel & Show Management

Ulcer-prone horses are often supported with:

• UlcerGard or compounded omeprazole pre-show

• Electrolytes and probiotics during travel

• Familiar hay and water sources on the road

Smart Supplementation

We may incorporate:

• Aloe vera juice

• SLIPP (sucralfate, lidocaine, isoflavone, psyllium, and pectin)

• Marine-derived buffering agents

• Postbiotic support like Succeed® or GastroElm Plus

All supplements are customized per horse, under trainer and veterinary direction.

When to Treat Empirically

If a horse presents with multiple signs and has a known ulcer history or risk profile, we may recommend a course of omeprazole and sucralfate even without scoping. Monitoring for behavioral improvement is key:

• Is the horse more relaxed under tack?

• Has appetite improved?

• Is coat/condition rebounding?

If yes, we continue with preventive protocols and slowly taper medication with professional guidance.

Our Philosophy: Treat the Horse, Not Just the Symptoms

At Sage Creek, we believe gut health is not optional—it’s central to the performance, personality, and potential of every horse. Ulcers don't just affect the stomach—they affect trust, expression, rideability, and resilience.

By paying attention to subtle shifts in behavior and condition, we’re able to support our horses with compassion and science, without waiting for a full-blown crisis to take action.

Want to Learn More? Book a consultation with our team. Whether you suspect your horse has ulcers or you’re looking for a better long-term care model, we’re happy to help guide the process.