Sand colic is a term for abdominal pain in horses caused by the ingestion of sand. Depending on the geographic region, five to thirty percent of all colic cases are caused by sand or sediment accumulation in the gut. Sand colic typically occurs in dry areas with poor vegetation growth. When horses forage, sand particles and other sediments (such as silt and gravel) are ingested and may remain in the large colon for long periods. Sand enteropathy or impaction occurs when sand accumulation damages the large intestine, leading to inflammation of the colon wall, distress or complete bowel obstruction. Without medical intervention, impaction colic can be fatal. Acute colic is a serious condition that requires medical attention. If your horse forages in a sandy region and presents clinical signs of sand colic, contact your veterinarian immediately.

A large, round belly doesn't always mean your horse is overweight. Some horses have a hay belly that makes them appear pregnant, yet they may struggle to maintain enough body condition to cover their ribs. While multiple factors contribute to abdominal distention in horses, poor hindgut fermentation of high-fibre, low-quality forage is the primary culprit. These horses may not be getting enough energy and protein from their diet, leading to poor topline and body condition. Dietary changes or gut support are necessary to get rid of the hay belly.

Ranitidine (Zantac) is a medication used to reduce stomach acidity temporarily. It is commonly used in humans and animals to treat peptic ulcers and heartburn. In horses, this drug is used to alleviate gastric ulcers. Ranitidine is an H2 blocker that works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach, helping to heal ulcers. Ranitidine is not as effective as other ulcer treatments such as omeprazole, but your veterinarian may recommend it as part of a multi-drug regimen to prevent and treat ulcers.

A healthy equine gastrointestinal microbiome contains a diverse range of beneficial microbes that support digestion, immune function and nutrient synthesis. Because horses are hindgut fermenters, a healthy microbiome is essential for overall wellness. Dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal tract can occur if the microbial population becomes unbalanced or dominated by harmful microbes.

Leaky gut is a digestive issue that most commonly affects performance horses. It can increase the risk of colic and causes systemic inflammation. It is said that 70% of the horse’s immune system resides in the gut. The horse’s gastrointestinal tract breaks down food and absorbs nutrients while blocking toxins and microbes from entering the body.

What’s the difference between squamous ulcers and glandular ulcers in horses? Different types of stomach ulcers in horses are commonly described as the general diagnosis of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). However, new research suggests it is better to refer to gastric ulcers as two different syndromes depending on the location of ulceration.

Nutrition and feeding play an integral role in the prevention of equine ulcers. Ulcer-prone horses can benefit greatly from a feeding program that supports gut health and supports the horse's natural defences against ulcers. Equine ulcers are painful sores or lesions that develop along the digestive tract lining. They can cause poor performance, aggression, and girthiness in your horse. Forage type, meal size, meal composition, and feeding frequency can all impact ulcer risk.

Right dorsal colitis (RDC) is a specific type of ulcerative disease in horses localized to the right, upper region of the large intestine. RDC is sometimes referred to as hindgut ulcers. Horses with RDC can show signs of weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy and reoccurring episodes of colic. In many cases, horses affected by hindgut ulcers have received a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the recent past.

Omeprazole is an FDA-approved drug that is sold under the tradenames GastroGard and UlcerGard. Omeprazole is used to prevent or treat equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Gastric ulceration is a painful condition with an extremely high prevalence in horses. Up to 90% of performance horses are affected by EGUS. High rates of pleasure horses are affected as well. Ulcers are sores or lesions that develop in the intestinal lining of the horse. They can cause your horse to become girthy, resistant to training, agitated and generally crabby.

Antacid supplements are some of the most popular options for equine gastric ulcer treatment and prevention – but could they be causing more harm than good? Antacids, such as magnesium hydroxide, are chemical compounds that neutralize stomach acid to temporarily facilitate tissue healing. Excessive acidity in the horse's gastrointestinal tract can result in ulcers developing as cells of the intestinal wall are eroded away.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broad term that describes a group of diseases marked by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract of the horse. Horses with IBD may show outward signs including recurrent colic, diarrhea, weight loss, and low energy levels. IBD in horses is a rare, but severe, inflammatory condition that affects gut permeability and nutrient absorption.