Changes

===Diet===

===Diet===

Gastric ulceration may be induced by alternately feeding and fasting

Gastric ulceration may be induced by alternately feeding and fasting horses (Murray 1994).(Vatistas 2 1999)

horses (Murray 1994).(Vatistas 2 1999)

Feed deprivation generally results in increased stomach acidity (Murray and Schusser 1993), since the absence of protein reduces buffering capacity. Moreover, gastric juice is more readily transported in an empty stomach and, as a consequence, flushed over the vulnerable squamous mucosa resulting in gastric ulceration (Sandin 2000)

A high grain low roughage diet is a risk factor in EGUS. High roughage diets provide hours of chewing and the production of salivary bicarbonate that bathes the stomach and protects against gastric ulcers. Metayer et al. (2004), found that small low starch meals empty from the stomach significantly faster than large high starch meals. Since high starch diets are fermented to VFAs and lactic acid, large high starch meals should be avoided in horses prone to gastric ulceration (Taharaguchi et al. 2004; Boswinkel et al. 2007). Furthermore, recent information suggests that feeding a diet that contains 0.5 kg of grain per 100 kg bwt no more frequently than 6 h apart can reduce the risk of EGUS (Andrews et al. 2006).

A high grain low roughage diet is a risk factor in EGUS. High roughage diets provide hours of chewing and the production of salivary bicarbonate that bathes the stomach and protects against gastric ulcers. Metayer et al. (2004), found that small low starch meals empty from the stomach significantly faster than large high starch meals. Since high starch diets are fermented to VFAs and lactic acid, large high starch meals should be avoided in horses prone to gastric ulceration (Taharaguchi et al. 2004; Boswinkel et al. 2007).  

In another study, alfalfa hay was shown to protect horses against EGUS, by increasing stomach pH. Gastric juice pH and ulcer scores were lower in horses fed a diet containing alfalfa hay compared to the same horses fed dietary brome or costal Bermuda hay (Nadeau et al. 2000; Lybbert et al. 2007). The authors concluded that alfalfa hay may be useful in addition to antiulcer treatment for prevention and treatment of squamous gastric ulcers.(Nadeau 2009)

In another study, alfalfa hay was shown to protect horses against EGUS, by increasing stomach pH. Gastric juice pH and ulcer scores were lower in horses fed a diet containing alfalfa hay compared to the same horses fed dietary brome or costal Bermuda hay (Nadeau et al. 2000; Lybbert et al. 2007). The authors concluded that alfalfa hay may be useful in addition to antiulcer treatment for prevention and treatment of squamous gastric ulcers.(Nadeau 2009)

In an investigated standardbred population in the Netherlands the amount of concentrate fed is not an important predisposing factor.(Prevalence)

In an investigated standardbred population in the Netherlands the amount of concentrate fed is not an important predisposing factor.(Prevalence)