• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Start Here!
  • All Topics
    • Bit and Pieces
    • Equine Digestive System
    • Gastric Ulcers
    • Horse Care and Wellbeing
    • Hindgut Ulcers
    • Muskoskeletal Issues
    • Parasites

Abler Blog

Horse Care Tips, News & Updates by Abler

  • Gastric Ulcers
  • Hindgut Ulcers
  • Horse Care & Wellbeing

Understanding hindgut ulcers in horses

Hindgut ulcers in horses are a common, painful affliction for horses. They’re hard to diagnose but the good news is, you can treat them effectively and provide fast relief to your horse.

The difference between gastric and hindgut ulcers in horses

Gastric ulcers occur in horses stomach & upper gastrointestinal tract. They are diagnosed through diagnostic approaches like gastroscopies or accupressure.

Hindgut ulcers in horses are slightly less common and much harder to diagnose. Hindgut ulcers occur in the area from the small intestine to the anus. Most of these appear in the large colon and small colon.

Causes of hindgut ulcers in horses

There are three main causes of hindgut ulcers in horses. These are:

  • parasites (namely tapeworm),
  • hindgut acidosis and
  • overuse of certain medications.

Parasites

Tapeworms live in the gastrointestinal tract of horses and other animals. The site where they attach to the intestine can cause ulcers.

Hindgut acidosis

As the name suggests, hindgut acidosis occurs when the horse’s hindgut becomes too acidic.

This happens when undigested simple carbohydrates reach the hindgut. These starchy carbs produce lactic acid which kills ‘good’ bacteria and damages the mucous lining of the bowel.

Furthermore, this reduces the hindgut’s mucous production which leaves the surface of the hindgut vulnerable to ulceration.

Prolonged medication

Another cause of hindgut ulcers is prolonged exposure to Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). The most common is phenylbutazone or ‘bute’.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are used to reduce inflammation and pain in horses.  However, they’re proven to cause ulcers and kidney damage with long-term use.

Vets recommend a maximum treatment period of 3-7 days.

Prevention of hindgut ulcers in horses

Parasite Prevention

Horses become infected with tapeworm when they eat hay or grass infected with tapeworm larvae. These develop into adult tapeworms inside the horse’s intestines.

It is important to be aware that not all wormers kill tapeworms. These particular parasites can be treated with one of two drugs — praziquantel and pyrantel.

You can reduce parasite populations on the pasture by regularly removing droppings, and resting grazing and rotating sheep and cattle on to horse paddocks.

Preventing hindgut acidosis

  • Grain meals should be small and fed multiple times a day, not exceeding more than 2.5kg
  • Grains should be processed, preferably micronized or extruded.
  • Horses should have constant access to forage such as pasture grass or hay. The absolute minimum is 1.5% of the horse’s body weight in forage daily.

Limiting prolonged use of NSAIDs

Horses have an uncanny knack of hurting themselves – so there are bound to be times when they’ll need some pain relief.

While it’s a good idea to have ready access to bute for emergencies, it’s not a good idea to have horses on but for an extended period of time.

Treatment for Hindgut Ulcers

Sucralfate is the best treatment for hindgut ulcers.

It works by forming a viscous gel over the ulcer craters. This protects them from further damage, giving the ulcers a chance to heal.

In addition, sucralfate also:

• Inhibits the action of pepsin, the enzyme that breaks down protein.
• Increases the production of prostaglandins, which protect the stomach lining

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google

Related

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the Abler Blog

The Abler Blog is dedicated to educating the horse community on equine ulcers. Written by lifelong horse owners and supported by Abler, specialists in equine medication.

Healthy broodmares mean healthy foals.

Explore Topics

  • Gastric Ulcers
  • Hindgut Ulcers
  • Parasites
  • Muskoskeletal Issues
  • Equine Digestive System
  • Horse Care and Wellbeing
  • Bit and Pieces

SHOP WITH ABLER

Abler Equine  Product Catalog

Abler Equine has an affordable range of omeprazole for the treatment and prevention of equine gastric ulcers as granules, tablets and paste.

Shop Now

Search

Popular Posts

AbGard contains equine Omeprazole.

AbGard: Equine Omeprazole Trusted by the Horse Industry

About ninety percent of performance horses have digestive ulcers.

AbGard: Equine Omeprazole Paste Alternative

Ivermectin is effective in targeting small strongyles.

AblerQuant: Praziquantel and Ivermectin Combined

Every horse’s situation is entirely different from the other.

AblerQuant: Horse Wormers and Equine Worming Schedule

AbPrazole Plus is an easy-to-use granule formulation for equine digestive ulcers.

AbPrazole Plus: Special Equine Omeprazole Formulation

Stress in a horse can be a sign of ulcers.

Omeprazole worked wonders for my horse

Stress is one cause of imbalance of the normal gut flora of a horse.

AbActive: Are Equine probiotics Really Necessary?

Managing horse post omeprazole treatment.

AbGard: Treat Horse Ulcers Immediately Before It Gets Worse

AblerQuant is categorized as an equine dewormer.

AblerQuant – Information on Horse Anthelmintics

Jockey silks are unique to each horse owner.

Horse racing: Famous jockey silks

Footer

The Abler Blog is dedicated to educating the horse community on equine ulcers. Written by lifelong horse owners and supported by Abler, specialists in equine medication.

shop online with Abler

Featured Posts

Aimez-vous les produits d'Abler comme Tricia?

The Cheapest (and Easiest) Way to Treat Horse Ulcers

There are more than 150 known types of parasites in horses.

AblerQuant: The Importance of Controlling Parasites in Horses

Digestive ulcers is a common clinical finding in horses being trained to show.

Gastric Ulcers in Horses: a Common Problem

Horse probiotics are required to help maintain the healthy state of horses.

AbActive: When Does your Horse Need Equine Probiotics?

Popular Topics

  • Gastric Ulcers
  • Hindgut Ulcers
  • Parasites
  • Muskoskeletal Issues
  • Equine Digestive System
  • Horse Care and Wellbeing
  • Bit and Pieces