Gastroscopy

Gastric ulcers are a common yet often under-diagnosed condition in horses. They can lead to poor performance, weight loss, a decline in body condition, and recurring episodes of colic.

Signs of ulceration can be anything from being grumpy when being tacked up to poor performance and even spooking or not loading.

We can confirm the presence of gastric ulcers using a three-metre video endoscope, which allows us to visually assess the lining of the stomach in detail. This is carried out after the horse has been starved overnight.

There are several treatments now so actually seeing the type of ulceration that is there allows us to prescribe the right length and type of treatment.

Ulcers vary in severity – from mild to extensive – and are graded accordingly. They may occur in both the upper (squamous) and lower (glandular) regions of the stomach, with different treatment approaches tailored to each type. Fortunately, most ulcers respond well to treatment, and recurrence can often be prevented with appropriate management strategies.

Horses may show a marked improvement in behaviour and performance following successful treatment.