Gastric Health in the Endurance Horse: When to Use a Gastroprotectant

Understanding when it makes sense to use a gastroprotectant preventively, and when no support is actually needed, is part of responsible management of the sport horse.

Why the endurance horse is at risk of gastric problems

The endurance horse is exposed to a combination of physical and environmental stressors that can increase the risk of gastric irritation and ulcers. Among the most common factors are:

• Frequent and often long-distance transport

• Changes in environment, stabling, and routine

• Waiting at the competition venue with reduced access to forage

• Temporary reduction in hay intake or changes in feeding

• Prolonged and intense exercise

The horse’s stomach produces acid continuously, regardless of meals. When workload increases and feeding management becomes less regular (travel, competitions, stopovers), the gastric mucosa becomes more vulnerable. It is not just a matter of diet, but of overall stress management.

Gastric ulcers in the sport horse: symptoms and diagnosis

Gastric ulcers in sport horses are common, especially in high-intensity or long-duration disciplines. Signs to watch for include:

• Drop in performance or changes in willingness to work

• Irritability or defensiveness when the chest/abdomen is palpated

• Reduced appetite or selectivity with feed

• Difficulty recovering, loss of condition, or weight changes

These symptoms are not specific: a drop in form does not automatically indicate a gastric problem. That is why diagnosis must always be entrusted to the veterinarian, ideally through gastroscopy, which is the only test able to confirm the presence, location, and severity of the ulcers.

Gastroprotectants in the horse: what they are and what they are for

The term “gastroprotectant” refers to medications or supplements designed to reduce the aggressiveness of the gastric environment and protect the stomach lining. In the sport horse, they are considered as a preventive measure or support during periods of greater stress.

The use of a gastroprotectant is usually considered in cases of:

• Long trips for competitions or training camps

• Multi-day competitions with overnight stays in temporary stalls

• Periods of particularly intense workload

• Horses with a history of gastric sensitivity or previously confirmed ulcers

When to use a gastroprotectant preventively

The key question is: when does it make sense to use a gastroprotectant in the endurance horse? In general, preventive management may be considered when the horse is exposed to a predictable increase in gastric stress, such as:

• Preparation for an important competition with a marked increase in workload

• Participation in FEI competitions or 100+ km rides with long travel and days away from home

• Temporary dietary changes (from paddock to stall, reduced grazing)

• Busy competition seasons, with little recovery time between one ride and the next

In these cases, the goal is not to mask an existing problem, but to reduce the risk that cumulative stress turns into gastric damage. “Prevention” does not mean continuous and indiscriminate use: dosage, duration, and timing must always be personalized by the veterinarian.

When NOT to use a gastroprotectant in the endurance horse

A gastroprotectant should not become:

• A “habit” to use automatically before every competition

• A substitute for proper feeding management, forage, and daily routine

If the horse:

• Eats regularly and maintains good condition

• Shows no signs of discomfort or performance decline

• Is managed with sufficient access to hay and well-organized logistics

It is not certain that any supplementation is needed. Intelligent endurance management starts with observing the individual horse, not with identical standard protocols for all.

Management and feeding: how to protect the stomach naturally

Some fundamental strategies for the gastric health of the endurance horse depend on daily management:

• Ensure access to hay as continuously as possible

• Avoid long periods with an empty stomach, especially before work or transport

• Offer small amounts of forage before training or before the loop

• Reduce unnecessary stress at the competition venue (continuous stall changes, noise, chaos)

Many gastric problems arise from overlooked details: schedules that change every day, insufficient forage, logistics organized at the last minute. Taking care of these aspects is often the first true preventive intervention.

Gastric health and performance in endurance

A horse with gastric discomfort does not always show colic or obvious signs, but the problem may appear in performance. Some signs not to underestimate are:

• Slower recovery after loops or after the competition

• Reduced motivation, refusal to eat at the crew point

• Reduced willingness to maintain pace or respond to the rider’s requests

Gastric health affects metabolic efficiency, effort management, and recovery quality. Protecting the stomach means protecting the competition season and reducing the risk of forced downtime.

Endurance, responsibility, and the horse’s well-being

In the world of endurance, the goal is not only to finish first, but to build long, sustainable careers that respect the horse. Gastric health is a fundamental part of this responsibility.

Gastroprotectants and gastric health: their role in endurance management

A gastroprotectant may play a role in the preventive management of the endurance horse’s gastric health, but only:

• In specific situations of predictable stress

• After proper evaluation

• As part of an overall strategy that includes feeding, proper logistics, and monitoring

True prevention comes from organization, proper feeding, and intelligent stress management. In endurance, preparation is not only about muscles and kilometers, but also about what cannot be seen: the stomach, metabolism, and the horse’s ability to face multiple seasons in good health.