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Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark.

Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark.

Luthersson N, Nielsen KH, Harris P, Parkin TD.

Luthersson N, Nielsen KH, Harris P, Parkin TD.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of EGUS in a population of Danish horses, during winter when the horses had been housed and fed for at least 8 weeks and to analyse the influence of feed, work level and environment on the risk of EGUS of > or = grade 2 in severity. CONCLUSION AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study has confirmed that components of the diet, readily modifiable, may have an important impact on the risk of EGUS in the nonracehorse. Differences in the multivariable models produced for all ulcers and nonglandular ulcers support differences in the aetiology of ulcers in different locations of the stomach.

CONCLUSION AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study has confirmed that components of the diet, readily modifiable, may have an important impact on the risk of EGUS in the nonracehorse.  

Significant factors for the development of gastric ulceration included the feeding of concentrates and faster exercise (Vatistas 1998). In addition, withholding feed before exercise was a modifying factor that, although not causing gastric ulceration, may have decreased time of onset.(Vatistas 2 1999) Murray determined that alternately withholding feed for 24 h followed by feeding for 24 h induced ulceration of the squamous mucosa that appeared endoscopically similar to naturally occurring ulcers (Murray 1994). However, such a severe form of feed deprivation does not occur in horses in training, in which horses may be fasted for 4 h before training exercise, although the period of feed withdrawal may be longer prior to a race. The results of our study tend to support the concept from other studies that feed deprivation is not necessary for the development of gastric ulceration (Vatistas 1998). The stabling of horses from pasture has been documented to increase the severity of gastric ulceration (Murray and Eichorn, 1996). All horses in the present study were stabled and this may have had some influence on the development of gastric ulceration. Evidence for the role grain is predominantly anecdotal, but there has been one study that demonstrated an increased prevalence of gastric ulceration in ponies fed a concentrate diet compared to ponies fed hay alone The results of our study suggest that, rather than training itself, the most stressful event may have been when horses entered their new environment..(Vatistas 2 1999)

Significant factors for the development of gastric ulceration included the feeding of concentrates and faster exercise (Vatistas 1998). In addition, withholding feed before exercise was a modifying factor that, although not causing gastric ulceration, may have decreased time of onset.(Vatistas 2 1999) Murray determined that alternately withholding feed for 24 h followed by feeding for 24 h induced ulceration of the squamous mucosa that appeared endoscopically similar to naturally occurring ulcers (Murray 1994). However, such a severe form of feed deprivation does not occur in horses in training, in which horses may be fasted for 4 h before training exercise, although the period of feed withdrawal may be longer prior to a race. The results of our study tend to support the concept from other studies that feed deprivation is not necessary for the development of gastric ulceration (Vatistas 1998). The stabling of horses from pasture has been documented to increase the severity of gastric ulceration (Murray and Eichorn, 1996). All horses in the present study were stabled and this may have had some influence on the development of gastric ulceration. Evidence for the role grain is predominantly anecdotal, but there has been one study that demonstrated an increased prevalence of gastric ulceration in ponies fed a concentrate diet compared to ponies fed hay alone The results of our study suggest that, rather than training itself, the most stressful event may have been when horses entered their new environment..(Vatistas 2 1999)

It seems reasonable to suggest that any condition

It seems reasonable to suggest that any condition