Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

There was a good presentation at the AERC convention on ulcers. I think the
jury is still out on what the impact is on endurance horses. I would also
expect that it will be found that the higher level of competition - the greater
the risk for ulcers. Most likely the people running hard at the FEI level
will face the same risk as other performance sports at the same level. Then
again there are such things as extensive traveling and other factors these
horses face. 

People riding for miles probably won't have near the problems. This is of
course a conjecture and what is needed is more research. According to the
talk at the convention there are some pratical things you can do to minimize
the problem. For example use Malox when you give electrolytes, feed a little
alfalfa in the diet, etc. 

Truman

Linda Klingerman wrote:

 

    In an article in "The Horse" (April 2003 "Exercise and Ulcers: Is it the Norm?") there is information about ulcers in the working horse.    What I gather from this article is that exercise forces the acid from the lower part of the stomach (where it is intended) up into the upper part of the stomach, where it causes the damage to the stomach lining.   The article says " which could be why ulcers develop or worsen in horses in training (affecting more than 80% of performance horses in studies)".

    So, as we are conditioning our horses as we are supposed to are we also creating ulcers?    And if this is so common or unavoidable in "working" horses, then why is the medication to help the horse be more comfortable not allowed by the AERC (when it has been found to be in the best interest of the horse by other organizations)?    I found the 80% number to be quite disturbing.

 

Any input?

Linda

____________________________________________________
  IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here