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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Am Vet Med Assoc / Prevalence of gastric ulcers in show horses.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association1999; 215(8); 1130-1133;

Prevalence of gastric ulcers in show horses.

Abstract: To determine prevalence and risk factors for gastric ulcers in show horses. Methods: Field survey. Methods: 50 horses in active training that had been transported to at least 1 event in the 30 days prior to endoscopy. Methods: Interview of owner, physical examination, serum biochemical analysis, CBC, and gastric endoscopy were performed. Results: Gastric ulceration was detected in 58% of the horses. Horses with a nervous disposition were more likely to have ulceration than quiet or behaviorally normal horses. Horses with gastric ulceration had significantly lower RBC counts and hemoglobin concentrations than those without ulceration. Conclusions: Show horses have a high prevalence of gastric ulceration. Lower RBC counts and hemoglobin concentrations may be the result of chronic gastric ulceration.
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Publication Date: 1999-10-26 PubMed ID: 10530328
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the prevalence and risk factors of gastric ulcers in show horses, revealing a high incidence of the condition. The study also found that horses with a nervous temperament and those with reduced red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations are more likely to have ulceration.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The main aim of this research was to understand the prevalence and determine potential risk factors of gastric ulcers in show horses.
  • To conduct their investigation, the researchers used a field survey method, studying a sample of 50 horses that were in active training and had participated in a minimum of one event in the past 30 days.
  • A thorough interview of each horse’s owner was conducted to glean insights into the horse’s lifestyle, diet, and behavior. Additionally, each horse underwent a physical examination and had serum biochemical analysis, complete blood count (CBC), and gastric endoscopy procedures performed.

Study Findings

  • The results showed a high prevalence of gastric ulceration among show horses, with ulceration detected in 58% of the studied sample.
  • The study also revealed behavioral factors as potential risk contributors. Specifically, horses that exhibited a nervous disposition were found to be more likely to have ulceration than their quieter or behaviorally normal counterparts.
  • In terms of medical indicators, horses with gastric ulceration had notably lower red blood cell (RBC) counts and hemoglobin concentrations compared to horses without ulceration.

Conclusions and Implications

  • In conclusion, the study identified show horses as a high-risk group for gastric ulceration.
  • The significantly lower RBC counts and hemoglobin concentrations in ulcerated horses suggest these blood metrics could potentially serve as a signal for chronic gastric ulceration, offering a diagnostic avenue to be explored in future studies.
  • Moreover, the study suggests that behavior may play a role in the risk of developing ulcers, emphasizing the need for behavioral considerations in horse training and care practices.

Cite This Article

APA
McClure SR, Glickman LT, Glickman NW. (1999). Prevalence of gastric ulcers in show horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 215(8), 1130-1133.

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 215
Issue: 8
Pages: 1130-1133

Researcher Affiliations

McClure, S R
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906-1248, USA.
Glickman, L T
    Glickman, N W

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Behavior, Animal
      • Diet / veterinary
      • Female
      • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
      • Gastroscopy / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Prevalence
      • Risk Factors
      • Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
      • Stomach Ulcer / etiology
      • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary

      Citations

      This article has been cited 17 times.
      1. Frippiat T, Bonhomme M, Dyson S, Votion DM. Evaluation of Owner-Reported Clinical Signs and Fecal Occult Blood Tests as Predictors of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Competition Dressage Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Nov-Dec;39(6):e70248.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.70248pubmed: 41055229google scholar: lookup
      2. Sykes B, Lovett A. Can All Behavioral Problems Be Blamed on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome?. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 22;15(3).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15030306pubmed: 39943076google scholar: lookup
      3. Busechian S, Bindi F, Orvieto S, Zappulla F, Marchesi MC, Nisi I, Rueca F. Prevalence and Risk Factors for the Presence of Gastric Ulcers in Pleasure and Breeding Horses in Italy. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 17;14(12).
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      4. Ferlini Agne G, May BE, Lovett A, Simon O, Steel C, Santos L, Guedes do Carmo L, Barbosa B, Werner LC, Daros RR, Somogyi AA, Sykes B, Franklin S. Horse Grimace Scale Does Not Detect Pain in Horses with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 12;13(10).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13101623pubmed: 37238054google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.1111/jvim.16734pubmed: 37148147google scholar: lookup
      6. Ermers C, McGilchrist N, Fenner K, Wilson B, McGreevy P. The Fibre Requirements of Horses and the Consequences and Causes of Failure to Meet Them. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 20;13(8).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13081414pubmed: 37106977google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3390/ani13071261pubmed: 37048517google scholar: lookup
      8. Albanese V, Munsterman A, Klohnen A. Prevalence of Gastric Ulceration in Horses with Enterolithiasis Compared with Horses with Simple Large Intestinal Obstruction. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 25;9(11).
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      10. Hewetson M, Tallon R. Equine Squamous Gastric Disease: Prevalence, Impact and Management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:381-399.
        doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S235258pubmed: 35004264google scholar: lookup
      11. Hausberger M, Lesimple C, Henry S. Detecting Welfare in a Non-Verbal Species: Social/Cultural Biases and Difficulties in Horse Welfare Assessment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11082249pubmed: 34438708google scholar: lookup
      12. Banse HE, MacLeod H, Crosby C, Windeyer MC. Prevalence of and risk factors for equine glandular and squamous gastric disease in polo horses. Can Vet J 2018 Aug;59(8):880-884.
        pubmed: 30104780
      13. Hewetson M, Sykes BW, Hallowell GD, Tulamo RM. Diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose as a screening test for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in adult horses. Acta Vet Scand 2017 Mar 11;59(1):15.
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      14. Mönki J, Hewetson M, Virtala AM. Risk Factors for Equine Gastric Glandular Disease: A Case-Control Study in a Finnish Referral Hospital Population. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1270-5.
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        doi: 10.1111/jvim.13578pubmed: 26340142google scholar: lookup
      16. Nishita T, Anezaki R, Matsunaga K, Orito K, Kasuya T, Sakanoue H, Matsunaga A, Arishima K. Measurement of Carbonic Anhydrase I and II Isozymes in Feces as a Marker of Occult Blood in Horses with Intestinal Tract Bleeding. J Equine Sci 2013;24(4):57-62.
        doi: 10.1294/jes.24.57pubmed: 24834003google scholar: lookup
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