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Diet while on ulcer care
Hey, Doc T, we’re treating a 4 y/o OTTB for ulcers. We’ve got her on Dynamite Miracle Clay and Silver Linings LCR for ulcer treatment. What would you recommend for her diet while her tummy is in pain? We started her on soaked pellets but are open to suggestions.
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2 Replies
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I apologize for missing this discussion!
Ulcers are caused by a disruption in the normal microbe population anywhere in the gut (mouth to anus). This is called a “dysbiosis.” Getting a horse restored to the normal microflora of the gut is the principle behind curing and preventing further ulcerations. Any treatment from FDA approved medications to anecdotal treatments are just treating and not getting to the root cause.
All horses are susceptible to ulcerations due to mis-feeding. Most TB’s in training are fed a lot of inflammatory grains and grain byproducts. However any added stress will exacerbate or increase the incidence and degree of ulcerations. This includes hard training, shipping, confinement and anything else a young TB is exposed to in their short life.
Step one is to remove all inflammatory ingredients including ulcer treatments. Only feed pasture, water and have access to a mined salt lick. I assume you have adequate pasture but if not then feed grass hay at 1.5% to 2.0% of his body weight. That is 15 to 20 pounds of grass hay to a 1000 pound horse. Additionally, if he is showing signs of discomfort associated with ulcerations (including squirts, soft feces, gas, sensitivity to touch / grooming, belligerent behavior) then soak his hay for 1 hour in water before feeding. Also keep hay and pasture away for about 12 hours every day until he begins to feel better. Do not worry at this point about weight.
Once he is happier and no longer showing signs of ulcers then add 1 pound of soybean meal as a high quality protein source. This is a very slow process of replacing the lost proteins but in a 4 yr old, it is faster than in ann adult. Think about 4 to 6 months.
After he is comfortable and eating the SBM you can stop soaking the hay and / or allow hay to be fed all night – but you probably will not do the night feeding. Remember, if he has access to pasture then hay is not needed especially during the spring through fall months.
Removing the cause of gut ulcerations is always preferable to treating. Most horses will show gratefulness as soon as the gut microbes restore themselves.
Again, my apology for missing this question. You can always direct message me to call my attention to something I’ve missed. Thanks for understanding – Doc T
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Thanks for the reply! I figured you were busy and then I got busy but now, asked and answered. Thanks again!
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