Gut health for horses using gentle herbs can be helpful to relieve sensitive stomachs.

Many horses suffer from gastric issues, with gastric ulcers being one of the most common.  Stomach irritation can develop from stress, too much starch, grain or inadequate feed in the stomach. The best way to support sensitive stomachs is to always ensure adequate fibre and alongside gentle supplementary care to support barrier function, soothe and maintain gut health.

What are gastric ulcers in horses? How do horses get ulcers?

The horses’ stomach is said to be roughly the size of a rugby ball with continual acid secretion, from the bottom (lower portion). This area is protected with a natural mucous layer so is safe from ulceration. However, the upper portion of the stomach doesn’t have this natural mucous lining making it very vulnerable to ulceration. One of main factors causing ulceration is acid splash to the top region which results in stomach ulcers.

How do horses maintain gut health in nature?

The horses’ gut is designed to continuously produce acid, whether the horse is grazing or not. Therefore, horses are designed to continually graze with small amounts of feed trickling through the gut. This keeps a lining on the stomach and by chewing keeps the gut acid buffered maintaining gut health.

Why do so many horses get stomach ulcers?

Due to modern day management which usually consists of hard feeding, riding, stabling, travelling and paddocking away from friends to long periods without feed or natural grazing is what contributes to stress and more ulcer risk.

How to alleviate stomach ulcers in horses?

Horses maintain gut health by chewing to produce bicarbonate. By providing adequate forage (as grass and hay), this helps your horse to chew and produce plenty of saliva which in turn helps to buffer the stomach acid.

Horses fed grain meals require less chewing, which equals less saliva and weaker acid buffering. It is therefore, recommended to add chaff to the hard feed ration which encourages plenty of chewing and saliva.

Gastric irritation can lead to gastric ulcers causing the horse a lot of pain and discomfort. Aim to use gentle ingredients if your horse is prone to stomach ulcers and always alongside with plenty of forage.

How to prevent gastric ulcers in horses naturally?

Gentle natural gut health ingredients can help mimic the mucous barrier providing relief, aid in soothing and also helping to protect by coating the stomach.

Stomach ulcers are incredibly painful so only carefully selected supplements or ingredients should be used for the ulcer prone horse.

Our favourite ingredients for natural gut health especially for ulcer prone horses are:

  • Slippery elm

Natural properties: the inner bark is rich in mucilage, a sticky, gel-like substance.

How it helps gut health:

    • Helps to coat and soothe the lining of the stomach (fore gut) and intestines, acting almost like a natural band-aid.

    • Helps to reduce irritation in cases of gastric (stomach) ulcers and also reduce hindgut inflammation.

    • May help regulate bowel movements and soothe the expelling of manure.

  • Psyllium 

Natural properties:  it is high in soluble fibre which absorbs water and forms a high viscosity, gel-like mass, similar to that of slippery elm.

How it helps gut health:

    • The gel like mass provides a barrier function to the gastric (stomach) lining of the horse providing relief.
    • Ideal for sensitive stomachs and horses that suffer from gastric ulceration due to the instant soothing gel texture.

    • As well as supporting barrier function in the foregut (stomach of the horse), it also acts as a natural prebiotic in the hindgut, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and helping to normalise the microbiome.

    • Provides a natural cleansing action, helping to rid the gut of irritants such as dirt and grit that may be ingested while grazing, helping to further reduce inflammation and irritation.

    • Helps soothe the digestive tract and helps to settle irritated bowels.
  • Fennel 

Natural properties: contains volatile oils (like anethole) that relax and soothe muscles and support digestion.

How it helps gut health:

    • Traditionally used as a carminative — to reduce digestive gas and bloating. This is important in horses that can suffer from gassy colic – a form of colic where air gets trapped in pockets along the digestive tract leading to pain and discomfort.

    • Acts as a mild appetite stimulant due to its delicious aroma that horses want to readily eat.

    • Aids digestive secretions for better digestion.

    • Has gentle antispasmodic properties, which can help reduce gut cramping, and help soothe the digestive tract or digestive upsets.

✅ Summary for natural gut health in horses

  • Slippery elm provides soothing and protective properties. It is gentle for horses prone to ulcers or irritation.

  • Psyllium adds fibre and acts as a prebiotic for microbial balance. Offers soothing and a protective gel-like substance, aiding in gut comfort and a natural barrier.

  • Fennel provides calming properties to the stomach and digestive system, helping to reduce gas and supports smoother digestion.

These three natural herbs complement each other well: slippery elm helps the lining; psyllium improves movement and adds to barrier function while fennel keeps digestion comfortable and reduces gas. The latest formula of Gastro-S, link here: Gastro S | Natural & Gentle for sensitive stomachs combines these three natural herbal ingredients in one product offering natural gut health for horses.

Foot note: Herbal ingredients support gut health for the ulcer prone horse but do not replace veterinarian advice and treatment.