Intestinal ulcers are an unfortunate fact of life for many performance horses. Because ulcers can be so uncomfortable for horses, the temptation for their owners is to reach for the product that will offer the quickest relief, usually in the form of conventional drugs.

However, these drugs block or buffer the horse's stomach acid, which hinders digestion in the long term. Ten to fifteen percent of protein digestion depends on pepsin activity in the stomach and pepsin is only active in an acidic environment (i.e. when stomach acid is present).

Stomach acid also acts as a defense against pathogenic bacteria colonizing the stomach and small intestine. While conventional drugs to offer immediate relief for the horse, they ultimately interfere with digestion and set the horse up for other long term problems.

Intestinal ulcers can show similar symptoms to stomach ulcers but they do not respond to acid blockers or buffers.

Natural products that do not contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum buffers are the best choice for the long-term prevention
and treatment of ulcers. Luckily, there are several products on the market that fit this description.
 

Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Madalyn Ward, DVM. Copyright (c) 2007 HolisticHorsekeeping.com. All rights reserved. http://www.holistichorsekeeping.com

Note: Giddy Up Go's GastroPlus is an all natrual product that does not contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum buffers and works by increasing the horses natural production of mucus to protect the lining of the stomach and intestines, thus healing the ulcers and preventing the formation of additional ulcers.